Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development has historically provided funding to third-party organizations such as municipalities and band councils to hire a person to pursue economic opportunities on their behalf.

Mr. Speaker, some larger communities like Yellowknife, Fort Smith, and Inuvik have secured such an arrangement. The need for this type of support has particularly come to light at this time in view of the impacts and opportunities from resource development. Hay River is a major surface transportation hub in the Northwest Territories, located at the origin of the Mackenzie River barging system and at the end of the railway and major highways in Alberta. As such, things like the Mackenzie gas project are expected to have significant impacts on the town and its citizens. There would be greatly increased road, rail and barge traffic activity. The town wants to ensure that there are no adverse effects and that maximum economic benefits are realized. The town believes it is well positioned to compete in an open, fair and transparent basis for economic opportunities resulting from resource development. On behalf of its residents, the town also has an interest in ensuring the potential environmental socioeconomic and cultural impacts of development are properly addressed and monitored.

Hay River currently has one economic development officer working for RWED. This position also services the Hay River Reserve and Enterprise. The primary function of this position relates to acting as an agent for BBC and the Development Corporation in assisting clients with proposal development, contributions and debt financing for business start-ups. Another RWED employee in Hay River has been primarily assigned to be an oil and gas advisor for the entire Fort Smith region.

While we greatly appreciate this support to the economic endeavours in the community and the region, it is becoming increasingly apparent that the Town of Hay River administration does not have the capacity to deal specifically with economic opportunities in numerous sectors.

Hay River has traditionally had a fairly diversified economy, and many sectors, I believe, could flourish with a locally-focussed economic development officer. This would allow existing and emerging economic opportunities to be capitalized on. We would envision this position being staffed and overseen by the local town council and funded through direct contributions similar to those in 15 other communities.

As a government, I believe we need to do what we can to ensure a viable, sustainable and supported economy in all regions and communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause