Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my statement today is regarding the Inuvik Natural Gas Project that is now on line. I would like to congratulate the Inuvialuit Petroleum Corporation and also the Inuvialuit for taking on such an initiative of enhancing the oil and gas industry in the Beaufort. It has been quite a few years since any development has taken place in that area. It has been some time since we have taken advantage of our natural resources that we do have to better the lives of people of the Mackenzie Delta and also of Inuvik.
Regarding the gas pipeline and the benefits that it offers and the possibilities of converting over from diesel fuel to natural gas, to eventually bringing down the price of fuel in the Inuvik region. In Aklavik, Mr. Speaker, my constituency pays almost a dollar per liter of gas. In other areas that complain that gas prices are too high, like Yellowknife, yet when you pay a dollar a liter it is very expensive for the people in the community of Aklavik and other isolated communities.
I would also like to ask the Minister and this government to expand the program that they deliver to the community of Aklavik, Fort McPherson, Tsiigehtchic, Tuktoyaktuk and other communities in the Beaufort Delta, to be able to take advantage of the cheap cost of fuel, especially natural gas. There is talk about expanding the pipeline to Yellowknife. I think before we even think of leaving the Beaufort region, let us do something for the region that is presently finely feeling what it is like to have some economic opportunity, and also benefit the region as a whole, before we consider exporting our natural resources that are making the lives better for the people who live where those resources come from.
Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time I will be asking questions to the Minister regarding the possibility of expanding the program that is presently being delivered in Inuvik for conversion so that the other communities surrounding Inuvik can take advantage of converting from diesel fuel to natural gas which would mean savings to everyone and improve the lives of the people in the Mackenzie Delta. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
--Applause