I quote from the January 31, 1997 unedited Hansard on page 552, which states, and I quote, "Mr. Speaker, as well I would like to point out for the benefit of people that things like transfer north of recent military air squadron which brought a huge pile of jobs to the community of Yellowknife, is there, while other communities have experienced a steady erosion as well of federal positions" end quote. I would attempt to respond to what I believe that he is saying regarding the position of the statement about the huge pile of jobs created by the 440 Air Squadron relocated to Yellowknife. I had discussions with the Department of National Defence officials in Yellowknife, and I am informed that there were 12 jobs created by the installation of the recent military air squadron located in Yellowknife airport.
Not exactly a huge pile of jobs. The MLA's statement which, I believe, also refers to an increase in federal employee growth in Yellowknife is also inaccurate. The reality is that Yellowknife has suffered its share of federal cut backs, with decreases of 27 positions alone at CBC North, as well as reductions at Environment Canada's Atmospheric Weather Service. Human Resources Canada in Yellowknife is down a number of positions from last year. Indian and Northern Affairs' employees are down 4 percent from last year. Mr. Miltenberger talked about the community of Yellowknife having quadrupled in size since it became the capital in 1967. This may be true, but he neglected to say that Yellowknife was built by private individuals who responded to the needs of the Government of the Northwest Territories, federal government and private sector for office and retail space and other services
-- Applause