Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I will keep my comments brief. They are along the same lines and much of the area has been covered by my colleague, Mr. Erasmus. Mr. Chairman, this government has spoken a number of times about initiatives to create employment in the territories. It goes in hand with helping with the social problems. The more work and more jobs we can create in the territories, the less strain that will be created on our social programs. There are initiatives just north of Yellowknife, particularly, the BHP and Diavik projects that have the potential to create large amounts of jobs for northern people. The only means of transportation we have is Highway 3 to get the products and building components to the jobsite. I was very disappointed last year that funds for the upgrade of Highway 3 were removed from the budget. Here is a project that, in the long run, will help to create employment opportunities for northerners, and having that access in the best possible condition for the traffic that will be travelling that road to get both of these projects on stream and other ones that will come. I certainly have to question the building of access roads as compared to initiatives such as this, that is going to be creating employment in the north. I have to question the wisdom that goes into building these access roads. I have little or no doubt that communities get benefits from these access roads. The best explanation I have had to date that it is better access to hunting and fishing. That is all well and good but I think we have to accept the fact that we are in a wage economy and, if there are dollars that can be spent that will create employment and create taxes for the government, I think we have to look in the short term as to where they are best spent. If we can get better products and services to situations or locations that will create employment in the short term and long term employment, I think the department should be looking at those initiatives, initially. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Seamus Henry on Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
In the Legislative Assembly on February 13th, 1997. See this statement in context.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
February 12th, 1997
Page 623
Seamus Henry Yellowknife South
See context to find out what was said next.