Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, over the summer I had the opportunity to travel in our southern regions of our great country. During our trip, I was able to take my time and enjoy the sights along the roads. We often stopped at the rest areas to get out and stretch, and I realized that the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development has over the years, developed some very nice campgrounds and picnic areas, all easily accessible from the highways. We have some very beautiful areas that provide residents and tourists great pleasure and relaxation. The department has done a very good job of developing and promoting the various parks and campgrounds it has. However, during my return to Rae-Edzo I looked at the picnic areas on the north side of the Mackenzie River and I found the picnic areas to be in fairly good condition. Between Fort Providence and Rae-Edzo we have two picnic areas for day use only; one at Chan Lake, and the other at North Arm. As I stated, both were in very good condition, but have had no real maintenance or expansion done to them in many years.
This past summer, the department did some brushing at North Arm. It has been years since any capital work was completed at these sites, and what is most disturbing is the fact that we do not have a campground anywhere between Fort Providence and Yellowknife. I believe the department should make an effort to find a place along Highway 3 that is suitable for a campground. The North Arm day use area is the only spot on the 340 kilometre section of Highway 3 which has access to one of the world's largest lakes, Great Slave Lake. Yet, this government has not considered this spot to be considered for a campground. It is a very beautiful area, and I am sure tourists and residents alike would enjoy having a campground situated there. It has always been my understanding that in order to promote tourism, one must have facilities for tourists to stay and things for them to do. How can this be done when we lack
the most fundamental facilities to attract tourism, the campground? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
--Applause.