Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A few weeks ago, the Premier went on record as saying that he was very hopeful and I think a bit anxious that he was going to be able to bring back some good news for this Assembly and for the people of the North, on an investment that we are so deserving of and so anxious to get here in the Northwest Territories to help our economy along and to improve our social situation.
We heard a statement yesterday of an investment that Ottawa is going to make in winter road systems up here. So Mr. Speaker, just in the nick of time, the Premier was able to hang onto his job, because that was what he went on record for a few weeks ago, saying that he felt that might be in jeopardy if he was not able to deliver. The announcement from Ottawa is a welcome one. We are going to see from this $3.7 million about $6 million in investment in a winter road system, and it is going into the right place and into the right project I believe, Mr. Speaker.
It is indeed modest, as the Premier pointed out in his statement yesterday. There is a frustration I think that we all feel compared with the half-billion dollars that the federal government received from leases that were arranged this past summer. It is also very modest compared to the $230 million that we would like to see invested in an overall comprehensive strategy to assist us with our growing economy and our very complex social system.
Mr. Speaker, I know that we are in the midst of a federal election and that things are complex, but I do indeed hope that our government will continue its pressure and its action and its lobbying on our colleagues in Ottawa and in the provinces, and I do hope that the candidates that are successful in this federal election are going to stand up and listen up to what is going on in the North. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.