Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my statement today will be on the budget address by the honourable Member for Inuvik, Mr. Roland. On the mortgaging of the Northwest Territories, Mr. Speaker, I quote from the Finance Minister in his budget address today, from page 5 under Fiscal Strategy, "However, just like a family is prepared to borrow to buy a house if they can afford the monthly mortgage payment, we are prepared to borrow to make necessary capital investments."
Mr. Speaker, this is a powerful quote from the budget, especially in times like this in the Northwest Territories. We have a tremendous increase on developing our resources in the Northwest Territories. We understand that millions are leaving the North, there is an increase in exploration development and finding the big ticket items such as the Mackenzie Valley pipeline.
Mr. Speaker, we need to get our house in order. Cut the waste, go back to the basics that will ensure that as northerners we can expect a living known to no other place in Canada that we enjoy and can live well in the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, we are mortgaging our home in the Northwest Territories and like any other families who are in the same situation, a lot of commitments have to be secured, priorities listed, a budget must be developed and followed as closely as possible. Action plans must be developed to be carried out. Long-term planning is part of that vision. Relationships must be built on trust, respect and the ability to deal with the uncertainty.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, we must be willing to mortgage our home on our income, and that, Mr. Speaker, I await this government to bring to this House good news that will happen in the coming months with the federal government. Mahsi.