Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I think it is very important as a government and as the Northwest Territories that we try to take advantage of the opportunities at hand. Mr. Speaker, the Mackenzie Delta and also people in the Mackenzie Valley have been talking and looking at opportunities by way of a Mackenzie pipeline. Again, Mr. Speaker, it seems like it has hit a brick wall. A motion they have been moving on seems to have stalled. I think as communities, the communities are now starting to speak out and wanting to have more of a say of what is happening and what the effects of this development will have in regard to the socio-economic effects on our communities, and ensuring that the benefits that do flow from oil and gas development reaches the communities, it does not by-pass them, and it ensures that they will receive those socio-economic benefits that thrive elsewhere.

Yet, Mr. Speaker, this government seems to be not doing much by way of looking at initiatives that they have taken in the mining industry by way of the socio-economic benefit agreements they have been able to negotiate with the diamond industry. I for one feel that this government should also look at such an initiative with the oil and gas companies that are looking at building the Mackenzie Valley pipeline, and also to ensure communities do receive the guaranteed jobs, training, and the socio-economic responsibility of industry, to ensure they are good corporate citizens and they do not leave us holding the bag after development has come and gone.

I think it is important, Mr. Speaker, that as a government, we seriously take our responsibility to ensure the well-being of our residents in the area of social impacts that effect our communities, regardless of whether it is alcoholism, drug abuse, or shortage of houses, or the impact on our infrastructure.

Mr. Speaker, it is crucial as a government that we do more to ensure that we do derive the maximum benefit from a pipeline down the Mackenzie Valley. With that, Mr. Speaker, I will be asking the Minister responsible for renewable resources questions on this later. Thank you.