Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Regarding the Budget Address, it stated that there will be no cuts to the existing programs in the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, I do have some concerns regarding the cuts that are taking place in the government and, especially in the area of the NWT Development Corporation. In particular, Mr. Speaker, my concerns are in regard to two particular projects which are in my riding, the Fort McPherson Tent and Canvas Shop and the Aklavik - Tuktoyaktuk Fur Limited project. Mr. Speaker, these two projects are critical to the economic well- being of those two communities. It not only brings pride to those individuals working there, but it also gives them a feel for being respected for work that they do.
Mr. Speaker, I think it is essential that this government not only look at how it can improve our economies but also try to expand these economies. In both cases in Aklavik and Fort McPherson, the work- force is getting older, we have to spend more money on training new people and bringing them into that particular sector. Also, Mr Speaker, in meeting with the managers of the Fort McPherson Canvas Shop and the Aklavik Fur Shop, that one of the big concerns that they have is their involvement in what goes on within the Business Development Corporation and how they are monitoring these two projects.
Mr. Speaker, there are a lot of concerns raised about their involvement in what is happening in this particular department. At no time in the last three years, there has been no effort made by this department or the Minister of this portfolio to make an attempt to go into these two fine businesses that we have in place in Fort McPherson and Aklavik to see exactly who is making these canvas bags and the fur hats and see the pride of those people that do work on these specific projects. Mr. Speaker, the concern I have is that there is talk about revising or restructuring this particular corporation or organization and I feel this may threaten the jobs of these people in my riding. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
--Applause