Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Before getting into my Member's statement, I too would like to congratulate you on your appointment. I know you will be a fair and impartial Speaker and I look forward to working with you.

I would also like to congratulate the Premier-elect, the Honourable Stephen Kakfwi and his new Cabinet. I look forward to working with them as well.

Mr. Speaker, I would also like to thank my constituents for their confidence and support in sending me back to this House to represent them. I wish to extend a special thanks to my friends and family, my wife Eileen and my son Tyler. As you so eloquently said, their support is what has made it all possible and worthwhile.

Mr. Speaker, I know this is a ceremonial day, but I was talking to the president of Diavik earlier today, and I feel I need to say something about what he told me.

He advised me that DIAND has informed Diavik that an interim land use permit will not be issued at this time. I was very disappointed to hear the federal government's decision, as this will delay construction of the Diavik mine site for another year. Given the Government of the Northwest Territories' fiscal situation, the 400 to 500 direct jobs and approximately 700 indirect jobs that will not be created this year is a critical loss to our northern economy.

Diavik had planned to spend nearly $100 million purchasing goods and services over the next year, and that will not happen now. Based on past practices of the company, that probably means some $70 million less is being spent in the North. That will have a significant impact on our economy.

Mr. Speaker, last fall I listened intently as the former Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, now the Premier-elect, the Honourable Stephen Kakfwi, told us the Government of the Northwest Territories was satisfied that no environmental issues had been raised that could not be addressed through the balance of the regulatory process.

I believe an overwhelming majority of Northerners agree, and wanted the project to proceed this year. It is truly regrettable the federal minister has chosen to ignore the advice of those who live in the North and are directly impacted by this decision.

Mr. Speaker, this decision further supports the trial by Northerners to wrest control of resources from Ottawa. It shows why we must move the discussions among Northerners about sharing ownership and control of resources forward very quickly.

Only when northern people and their governments own the resources and control the development process will we see the benefits that should rightfully be ours. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause