Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, I rise to speak of concerns of my community on the capital plan of this government. I have worked positively, I believe, in my first term as a Member, and I try to do the same in the second term as a Member of the 14th Assembly. To date, on the capital side of the program, we have heard of the bad news in that the Aurora Campus project is being delayed in Inuvik. Another large impact to the community is the Inuvik Regional Hospital, and it is being changed from a P3 project to a traditional project.
I have asked the Finance Minister, as well as the Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, to keep me up to date on this. I have had verbal commitments that this will not be put back any further. To date, I have not received any further information. It has been over a month since the news was out that the project has changed status. It seems that no one in the region is aware of where things are going.
I am trying to take the high road here and work positively, and hopefully have a positive outcome. Until I hear some positive news coming back from my Cabinet colleagues, I am going to have to take a more critical view as to what has been going on.
I have not been told of any other changes with the project. I have been told that it is on time, or that it will not be delayed too significantly, but that is a concern, especially when we look at our budget situation.
Mr. Speaker, I am aware that ever since 1988, this government has transferred $1 million per year for that project. I am also aware that over the next four years, there is another $16 million coming to this government for that project. Mr. Speaker, that alone covers over two-thirds, almost three-quarters of the project.
I would like to know, and I will be asking questions of the Finance Minister as to what is being done to move this project along. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
-- Applause