Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, I would like to discuss the role that the Government of the Northwest Territories is playing in the development of the Mackenzie gas project.
I have always been, and remain, a strong supporter of the Mackenzie gas project and the benefits that are going to come as a result of this multi-billion dollar pipeline project. Some of my colleagues have brought up the issue of the letter of comfort that the GNWT sent to the proponents of the project. They had their own opinion on what that letter meant or didn't mean. The issue I have is that there hasn't been any opportunity for public discourse or discussion on what the Government of the Northwest Territories, on behalf of all the communities, should, or would, be receiving.
Mr. Speaker, we just recently went through a federal election campaign where these issues were front and centre. However, our government does have some questions to answer on what their role is and what public expectations are of the GNWT. In my opinion, the letter of comfort was nothing more than something that Government of the Northwest Territories felt obligated to do. The letter itself is basically a letter about nothing. I
would like to call it the Seinfeld letter, where the GNWT drops the ball in that we are a public government. As a government, we just came out looking like losers.
The socio-economic fund, the $500 million, is earmarked for communities along the pipeline route. Let's not forget that $50 million per year over 10 years split amongst 20-odd communities does not equate to much. Left out of the equation are three of the four main population centres like Yellowknife, Hay River and Fort Smith, which are set to receive a grand total of zero for socio-economic impacts of pipeline development.
Our government has failed 70 percent of our people by not including, or demanding, a discussion on benefits for all communities. Of course, there will be economic benefits like jobs, training and further exploration. Who will pay the price for the added socio-economic impacts in all of our communities? We will, Mr. Speaker. To me, it just looks like we missed the boat. Thank you.
---Applause