Thank you, Mr. Speaker and good afternoon. Mr. Speaker, the air terminal at Broughton Island is an ATCO trailer. Mr. Speaker, Broughton Island, a community with a population of 486 would like a proper airport building, not a trailer. The airport terminal building is scheduled to be replaced in the 2001-02 fiscal year. Unfortunately, the community cannot wait that long. There are important immediate needs to be addressed.
A new airport is needed to meet higher building and safety code requirements, accommodate an ever-increasing number of passengers and reduce operation and maintenance costs such as utilities. It would have a longer lifespan than the current trailer. Overall efficiency would also be improved. Replacing the current air terminal building now, will result in operations and maintenance savings and other benefits being realized earlier.
Mr. Speaker, we have to acknowledge the long-term potential of Broughton Island and to look at the big picture. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
--Applause