Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to speak about the high price of fuel in the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, this initiative is dear and near to the hearts of many of my constituents. In particular, those that are engaged in commercial fishing on Great Slave Lake. Mr. Speaker, this issue is also relevant to fisher persons that live in other communities and fish in Great Slave Lake. For example, there are commercial fisher persons that reside in Kakisa and Yellowknife. As you can well see, Mr. Speaker, this issue of commercial fisher persons paying a road tax for fuel is truly a Northwest Territories matter and not exclusively in the domain of Hay River although I am aware that the majority of commercial fisher persons currently fishing on Great Slave Lake reside in Hay River.
Mr. Speaker, I have recently attended numerous meetings of the Northwest Territories Fisherman's Federation to hear their views and opinions. Mr. Speaker, during these meetings, officials representing the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development have addressed the Northwest Territories Fisherman's Federation that RWED is currently developing a Great Slave Lake Fishing Strategy. Mr. Speaker, this strategy will have a direct impact on the livelihood of all commercial fisher persons on Great Slave Lake.
Mr. Speaker, the department has approached the Northwest Territories Fisherman's Federation for their input towards developing this strategy. I wish to acknowledge and commend the department for this effort. Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories Fisherman's Federation and many of my constituents have requested that the department and this strategy address the issue of paying of road taxes to the Government of the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, as you are undoubtedly aware, one of the most significant costs which commercial fisher persons incur is the price of fuel.
Mr. Speaker, commercial fisher persons require fuel to operate their boats on the lake during the summer season and their bombardiers on the ice during the winter season. None of these activities involve the use of Northwest Territories roads. Yet when they pay for fuel, they are also paying for Northwest Territories road tax. Mr. Speaker this issue has been brought to the attention of the government on numerous occasions. The government has not provided an effective solution to this problem. I am proud to be here to represent the fishermen of Hay River. I look forward to this Canada Day weekend, and to spending a few days in my riding. Thank you Mr. Speaker.
-- Applause