Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, the comments that I have are in regards to the pipeline; the evolution of how things are moving with the federal government, the aboriginal communities, the specific access and benefit agreements that the communities are negotiating with the industry, the development that is happening with the Mackenzie board that would approve these certain permits and licences for the pipeline, and the ongoing discussion between our government and the federal government in terms of royalties, and the different regimes that hope to see some benefits for the people of the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Chairman, there are some underlying concerns or feelings that things are maybe up in the air as to what may happen next. It seems that it is a big puzzle, that one piece has to fit in before the next piece. It is very complex and timing is a very crucial step in terms of how we here in the Northwest Territories are going to see or not see a pipeline within the life of this Assembly, or if we have to wait an extra 10 or 15 years.
As lead Minister, Mr. Chairman, I am going to ask the Minister what type of message is he or his department giving to the rest of the people in the Northwest Territories and probably southern Canada, so that would they would have some satisfaction met that, yes, the pipeline is going ahead or there are things that are being worked out that would see a pipeline within the next couple of years, or things are just really too bad and that there is not going to be any pipeline in the future.
I hear that there is work being postponed. I hear that there is other work that is not being worked on this winter. It is a big issue for the people of the North. I believe the Minister is doing his best in terms of ensuring that this project stays on track, stays within the communities, and that there are lines that are being drawn for both the aboriginal governments and our own government in terms of who is taking responsibility for what and what issues are being dealt with through the meetings outside of this government to ensure that there is some security for industry to know that a proposed pipeline could be built and that everyone is taking some responsibility for this project.
I want to ask the Minister what is the message to the people in the Northwest Territories in terms of the Mackenzie Valley proposed pipeline? There are a lot of what-ifs up in the air and there are a lot of scenarios being played out across the Territories. In terms of our government, what is the message that is going out to the communities right now as we speak? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.