Mr. Speaker...(English not provided).

Mr. Speaker, the pipeline is very important to my region and I wish to speak about it today. Unfortunately, the federal government still isn't listening to the Deh Cho when they say they want a meaningful role in the pipeline's environmental assessment. So it is my hope that this time the GNWT is able and willing to create a socioeconomic agreement with some teeth.

I have always maintained that I fear that history will repeat itself. The pipeline from Norman Wells created the majority of short-term jobs in Fort Simpson. Economic boom was there, but for the prepared and the wise, Mr. Speaker. As well, this time around, the oil and gas companies still aren't giving us any indication that they would be even remotely interested in enhancing our infrastructure. Furthermore, our businesses do not see how there is going to be any advantages to them from this pipeline. My communities are overwhelmed by the amount of information associated with the pipeline that is just being thrown at them, Mr. Speaker. We don't have the lawyers or the staff to review and act upon all of this information. Then there are the environmental concerns. The Canadian Arctic Resource Committee released a report in January that said the pipeline could threaten nesting birds, the boreal forest, the muskeg, and the bear and caribou populations. The report also criticized industry for not providing enough information about all of these adverse effects, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, the pipeline is not just threatening business and the environment; it is threatening, as well, a culture, a people and a way of life. We need a socioeconomic agreement that is going to mitigate the effects of the pipeline and guarantee substantial long-term benefits for the Deh Cho region. Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause