How can this be? Because we don't get royalties and most of the tax increases are clawed back by the federal government. So our net fiscal benefit from the development of natural resources doesn't even cover our government's costs. These costs include our highway infrastructure taking a beating from significantly increased traffic; the social costs when development has a negative impact on our communities and families; and the increased need for training and education.

Mr. Speaker, with diamond mines being so profitable, I've heard some who suggest we could solve our money problems if we brought in a mining tax. That might get us some extra money for a year or even three. But with every new formula financing deal we sign with Ottawa, they seem to claw back most new revenues. So tax increases or new taxes are not the long-term solution.

Perhaps in the near term, we need to look for other ways to ensure development benefits Northerners. For instance, maybe we need to explore the possibility of ensuring developers help us fund training programs. In the long run, though, Northerners deserve a fair share of the proceeds from resource development in our territory.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

Thank you. The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his Member's statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays, Mr. Dent, conclude.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, honourable Members. Mr. Speaker, I have supported the Premier and the Minister of Finance in their efforts the past four years in trying to get a fair deal with Ottawa. When the 15th Assembly takes office, we will miss Premier Kakfwi's passionate voice calling on Ottawa to get moving, and his eloquent fight for a fair share of the royalties flowing from our natural resources. I was pleased to hear the Premier say that he will continue to fight for a deal until and after his last day as Premier.

Mr. Speaker, we need to plan for when we win the fight with Ottawa. We need to begin to look at what appropriate royalty rates are so we are prepared to step in quickly; rates that balance the encouragement of responsible development with a fair return for the depletion of our natural resources. Mr. Speaker, when we come back together in the 15th Assembly, we must be prepared to continue to push the federal government to move quickly on an agreement for devolution that includes a resource-royalty-sharing agreement that will truly allow a net fiscal benefit for the people of the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, winning this argument must be our first priority. Thank you.