Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As we now start our journey in this new territory of ours we find many challenges facing us. Through my review of the Budget Address presented by the Honourable Minister of Finance, I can see many of my concerns are being addressed, however, the main problem that I see is we still need additional funding.
Although we are spending additional dollars in education which will help assist in solving some of the problems of overcrowding in classrooms, I feel this is far below what we should be allocating. We have many areas within education that must be addressed and this budget does not go far enough.
I am rather disheartened that the Working Together Program will only be extended for one more year, even though this has proven to be a very good program with a good number of young northerners employed. I think this should be extended for future years as well. We do have some very good programs within the education, culture and employment portfolio, however, the one thing that is needed and we have heard over again is the need for more dollars to be allocated.
As I continued to review this Budget Address, it was good to see a focus to increased funding for recruitment and training local residents for careers in the health and social services area. We have heard many times how the nursing staff in any community are over worked and are constantly under pressure, which does result in burnout and relocation to the south. I hope for the good of our residents that these initiatives will help relieve the stress and pressures that our staff currently face. We must also look at ways that we can assist residents with the many social problems that our communities face. Spousal assault, alcohol and drug abuse are all becoming very prevalent in today's society and we must react to these problems now.
Every year across this country we lose loved ones and property as a result of fire. Over the last number of years we have witnessed many terrible tragedies, communities losing their schools, their stores and houses. We acknowledge the need for a well-trained fire department and good equipment for all communities. Through this Budget Address it looks like we may be heading in the right direction. It is very important to allow communities the ability to protect against fire. I hope future budgets will continue to stress the need for further fire prevention and support.
I have heard that the Down Payment Assistance Program has been a success and it is good to see many residents are taking advantage of this, however, I wonder how many residents in the smaller communities were able to take advantage of this. We must also look for ways to increase housing units within our communities. We need affordable housing for all residents across our territory.
Throughout the next year we have many important issues to deal with. If we can get our people trained as we are attempting to do with the continuation of some programs, we must also be in the position to have jobs available. By supporting and developing local economies within all our communities of the NWT our people will find jobs and will create business opportunities. It is important that we realize everything does not have to be diamond related. We have many areas that local people can create and develop successful businesses within all communities. It is good to see the lustre of diamonds as it is an important part of our lives for many years to come, but there is much more to develop.
Our territory is vast and we are blessed with renewable and non-renewable resources that are waiting for us to utilize and develop. We must work together, to ensure the NWT as a whole prospers not just the large centres. I feel an economic strategy for the territory is essential to a better economic future, however, I also feel this is more important at the local community level and the communities should be encouraged to develop their own strategy, for it is at the community level that most of our economic activities take place.
In closing, I am hopeful that this year's Budget Address covers a good number of solid initiatives and programs that we need to provide for our residents and businesses. However, the one main problem that this government still faces is the lack of dollars to continue to upgrade our infrastructure, rebuild our sagging economy, provide training at all levels. I continue to believe that our government will be able to negotiate a win-win situation with the federal government over the royalties issue. I would also like to congratulate the Honourable Minister of Finance for this year's first, truly, NWT budget. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
--Applause