Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am taking the opportunity today to respond to the Minister of Finance's budget address. The focus of my statement will be on the youth of my constituency. Mr. Speaker, when we need examples of explosive population growth, Arviat comes to mind as one of the communities that rates in first place with a population growth of approximately six percent. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, when I look at this budget I will be very mindful of our youth. Are they better off now, or will they be better off in five years, or in ten years time? In that context, what I am looking for in this budget is the foundation for growth that will secure the future for our children. What are the foundations and what has this budget done to address them? I have identified four major areas which I believe constitute the basis for economic growth in the region. The first one being a sound fiscal environment, ie: a balanced budget; second, a motivated and well-educated work force; third, economic potential for long-term, sustainable jobs; and lastly, reasonable cost of doing business.
A sound fiscal environment. On this first point, Mr. Speaker, because of the government's success and efforts in balancing the budget, I will give the budget a B plus. This score would have been higher had there been more balance between growth and maintaining the existing social programs. The fact that more and more of our dollars are going into the non-discretionary social programs and to creating temporary jobs, means there is less going into building for growth through long-term employment. The desperately needed job strategy is long overdue. We must ensure that it will provide for the development of long-term, sustainable jobs, not just six week make work projects.
Second point is a well motivated and capable work force. In this area I will give the budget a C. There is nothing like the potential for jobs to motivate people to try and find work and to continue in their schooling. I understand there is major potential in developing mining reserves within my region. If so, are we preparing our children for jobs in the mining industry? We are spending lots of money, but are we putting it where it is most needed?
The next point I address, Mr. Speaker, is economic potential for creating sustainable jobs. In this area, I will give the budget a C. You do not have to be an economist to know that you can not create long-term growth by slashing government jobs. The government has done a good job through the BIP to maximize the impacts of government expenditures, but unfortunately the BIP does not create sustainable jobs, and we will also lose jobs when cutting the capital budget. The real growth for the future of the Keewatin must be from the mineral industry. The mining industry is excited by the mineral potential from the latest results of the geophysical surveys taken in the region. It takes a minimum of five to seven years to go into mine production after the basic economic tests have been completed. Can we shorten that time by building partnerships with mining companies by helping them go through the regulatory process by creating a positive investment climate and by eliminating uncertainty? After the amalgamation of Energy, Mines, and Resources, I sense that a lesser priority is being given to mining development. Mr. Speaker, I hope that I am wrong in this area. Mr. Speaker, I also believe that we have to do more to attract new money to the region through tourism. I recently had the opportunity to meet with a delegation from the province of Manitoba. Mr. Speaker, the Deputy Premier of Manitoba reminded me of this government's commitment to cooperate on the economic initiatives to benefit both Manitoba and the Keewatin. With the recently announced privatization of the rail line and the pending rejuvenation of the Churchill port, we can expect new export opportunities. We should aggressively pursue these initiatives.
In reducing cost of doing business, I give the budget a B plus. I am anticipating an announcement that this government will be implementing recommendations of the Keewatin resupply committee and the realignment of the petroleum products division to make it operate more on a businesslike basis. Both initiatives will reduce cost.
Mr. Speaker, in summary, I understand the difficulty that this government has faced in trying to build an economy with less money. However daunting the task, we must continue to lay down a foundation for a self sufficient society. A society in which northerners with access to productive, sustainable jobs will not have to depend on government for housing, income assistance, and other social programs. A society in which northerners, through wellness and early intervention programs, can live the healthy, productive lifestyles of their forefathers. With the budget presented last week, there are some worthwhile initiatives in this area.
With respect to the economic initiatives, these include commitments to foster trade and investment, as well as the proposed development of a labour force strategy. For the social envelope, these include funds to implement community wellness activities and early intervention programs. But, Mr. Speaker, can we do more?
For example, enhancing education and training programs to enable individuals to acquire the skills needed for jobs in the mining, construction, and service industries. One easy way of doing this could be to expand the current training programs, such as the building learning strategy, to include training for mining related jobs. Also, more accessible business programs, targeted to provide the necessary one stop assistance to small businesses, such has been carried out in the Keewatin region. In closing, Mr. Speaker, I am confident in the ability of my constituents and the residents all across the north to respond to the economic opportunities that are facilitated by this government.
Mr. Speaker, as an example, Jeannie Alikut is now the proud owner of a small bakery in Arviat. George Kuksuk is the owner and operator of a small construction business. Martha Aupaluktuq, of Baker Lake, currently runs her own electrical business. In the short term, such initiatives may add to the expenditures and reduce the small surplus that this government is projecting. However, I believe that these are worthwhile investments that will ultimately reduce the need for government expenditures in the future.
Mr. Speaker, when the deficit is discussed we often hear the line that we should be compassionate and we should be careful as to what debt we leave for the children of future generations. Mr. Speaker, with that in mind, we also have to be careful that we do not compromise our children's future by not providing them with the tools for these individuals to lead a more healthy and productive life. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
-- Applause