Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Given the recent application by Imperial Oil and the Aboriginal Pipeline Group to construct a Mackenzie Valley gas pipeline and the formation of a joint review panel, it is imperative that this government maximize the amount of available training so that residents are ready for the jobs that will be available.

Past experiences with Dome Petroleum and the construction of the Norman Wells pipeline in particular have shown the Northwest Territories to lack qualified residents and the necessary infrastructure to meet the needs of the oil and gas industry. Sadly, Mr. Speaker, most of the jobs associated with these two projects went to southern Canadians. Mr. Speaker, with the pipeline project beginning its regulatory pace, it is now time for this government to prepare our people for the many jobs in construction or maintaining the pipeline.

We have $15 million for the Aboriginal Skills Employment Partnership Program. We must, in all regions, start training our people. In the Beaufort-Delta, there is talk of a new Aurora College training centre. There is also talk of building a students' residence to accommodate students from Beaufort-Delta who may be taking training in oil and gas.

Mr. Speaker, there is a solution to the dilemma of available training and accommodation space. In my home town of Tuktoyaktuk, we do have the facilities to accommodate up to 40 students. I speak of the two industrial camps. If the Department of Education, Culture and Employment and the board of governors of Aurora College can allocate some of the available training money sooner rather than later, we could have residents ready for meaningful employment in the construction and ongoing maintenance of the pipeline.

Once again, Mr. Speaker, if we are to realize a net benefit from resource development, I will emphasize that time is of the essence. Let's get moving on training our people so that this opportunity does not pass us by. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause