Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for volunteering my comments here. I do have some comments. I was going to make them later, but now that you have recognized me, I will state them. I think, like Mr. Lafferty and Mr. Nitah, I speak in favour of this motion. I think this whole concept has come about and has been an issue that has been growing for some while now because of frustration and really because our communities are somewhat different from the larger centres.
We have different values, different philosophies, different culture. The community dynamics are certainly different. The majority of our communities in the ridings are predominantly aboriginal. When decisions are made by this government and they are voted on and we see budgets that come about that, for instance, reduce capital plans and really effect our communities, what we consider the smaller communities in the North, more so than it does the regional centres and more so especially in the case of Yellowknife, we have seen the result of that. We have seen very little activity, very little investment in the last while because of our financial situation, but it has really made a drastic effect on our communities.
A lot of our communities are built around capital projects, especially housing. When we see those programs and projects reduced, it affects us. I have seen a number of companies in my riding having to close their doors now because we have reduced our investment in the capital plan over the last couple of years.
However, we have to recognize that we have 29 communities that are being represented right now through seven Members. We have four larger centres that are being represented by 12 Members. It makes it very difficult to get your position across when you are that badly outnumbered. Of course, this is a fallout of the division of the Northwest Territories and the court challenge.
When there are statements made in public presentations by our Ministers and our Premier describing a very positive future and a rosy picture of activities that are happening across the North and the employment that is available and the training that is going on, a lot of times it is difficult to share that enthusiasm because it has not filtered down to our communities. We do not have these things going on. We are still struggling to access dollars for training programs. We are still struggling with our people in the communities being able to qualify to get on some of these programs.
It really demonstrates that there is a huge difference about how people are viewing the future and how they feel about what is happening in the North. The four different people that were named to this committee all have communities that are similar in size, similar in dynamics, similar numbers of communities in their riding. They all have multi-community ridings. It has been obvious to us that we have to start working together. Not only do we have to start working together and start lending support to each other, we also have to start finding resources so that we can start really doing a lot more serious research and taking a more proactive approach.
I think it is important that we have our voice heard, that we are not drowned out by the many votes that are out there that outnumber us. I think we have a lot to offer. I do not view this move as a negative approach. I do not agree with anybody that states that we are trying to cause a split in the House. I do not agree we are trying to create any attacks on the larger centres, especially Yellowknife. I do not think that is the intent of this committee.
The reason all of us are here is to improve the quality of life in our communities and we have to ensure that we do that. I do not think it has ever been reviewed by any group how the numbers were going to affect us, and maybe there has to be a change in our system. I think this group can do that. We have already identified in this motion that this standing committee will not affect or interfere with any other standing committee or committees that are set up by this House.
We are just trying to build and develop a stronger voice and by working together, we can do that. I think we all agree that the North has a bright future ahead of us. We have heard that many times in this House. We want to be part of it. We want to be proactive. We want to be able to contribute like every other Member in this House. I guess if we are going to vote on this motion today, the outcome will demonstrate how this House functions and how strong we feel about providing equal representation. If there is a weak sector amongst us as Members, then we should be looking at ways to help them get the proper investment, like every other Member has. Thank you.