Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my comment this afternoon is related to the release of the federal budget for the year 2000-2001. I must confess some envy when I consider the full range of choices the Government of Canada had when they were establishing their budget. These choices are currently not available to the governments in the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, Canada used the fiscal choices of strategic investments in new programs, enhancing existing programs, reducing the tax burden, targeting tax cuts to those most in need, and reducing the overall government debt. In fact, they were able to use all of these options in shaping their budget. These are tools Members of this House can only dream about at the present time.
The Government of Canada used many of these tools to deliver a budget that benefits Canadians, Northerners included. Businesses, students and families will all see some benefit. The budget seems to have failed to recognize, Mr. Speaker, at least one of the immediate needs of the Northwest Territories - new infrastructure development to improve our roads and inject other new capital into the Northwest Territories.
All northern leaders need to resolve to unify their actions and bring control of northern resources home. We need to focus on the signal given last month by Mr. Robert Nault, the Minister for DIAND, that Ottawa is prepared to work to that end.
Mr. Speaker, I look forward to the day when our own Minister responsible for Finance can rise in this House and deliver a budget that uses all of the fiscal tools available to other governments in this country. We want the independence to do the right thing for the people of the Northwest Territories. It is time we had options and choices similar to other governments in this country. It is time for the Northern Accord. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
-- Applause