Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as a taxpayer, it was hard not to like parts of the budget tabled by the federal Minister of Finance. Who can argue against lower taxes, or the indexing of the tax system to inflation?
As a Northerner, it was what was missing that I notice most. The Northwest Territories has huge potential, but we need investment to realize it. I saw nothing in this budget to promote economic development in the Northwest Territories. I saw almost nothing for a highways program. There is $150 million to split up across Canada between the provinces and territories, which leaves almost nothing for the Northwest Territories.
This is a real missed opportunity for economic development and training for our people in the Northwest Territories.
We know the spin-off from economic development in the Northwest Territories benefits southern jurisdictions more than it does those of us who live here. It is really short-sighted of Canada not to invest in the North.
Like most Canadians, Northerners want to see increased funding for health and education. We should welcome the additional funds we see in the Canada Health and Social Transfer. But there is a catch. These funds are allocated on a per capita basis. With the $2.5 billion added to CHST funding, we will only see $3.4 million in the Northwest Territories. Contrast that with the $55 to $60 million in direct cuts we took a few years ago in our transfer payments from Ottawa.
Mr. Martin talked of how transfer payments to provinces and territories have been increased. Mr. Speaker, in spite of what we hear our Member of Parliament has said, I do not see it in this budget speech. I do not see increased transfer payments to the Northwest Territories.
We did more than our fair share to help defeat Canada's deficit. One year, our grant was frozen, leaving us $40 million short of expected growth. The next year, the grant was reduced by five percent, which meant an additional $60 million was cut.
If Canada is not going to restore the transfers and invest more in economic development in the North, then they must quickly agree to negotiate with this government and aboriginal governments to move ownership and control of resources to the North.
Mr. Speaker, since we cannot count on Canada, we need the tools to invest in the North ourselves. Thank you.
-- Applause