Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this government has been acting like it has won a gold medal ever since the Harper Conservatives stated during the election campaign that they understand that the northerners have to be the primary beneficiaries of resource development. I agree with that principle as well, Mr. Speaker, but I must say to this government that it should lead by example and really practice what it preaches, because the possibility of having upwards of $300 million being invested into northern economy is a great thing for whatever reason. To do it for housing is even better. This is the kind of thing that the governments are supposed to take a leadership role on and do it well. Mr. Speaker, I don't see that happening. I'm sorry; I'm losing my speech this morning.
Mr. Speaker, I don't believe that we can be doing this by the Minister of Finance stating that his aim is to promote the conversion of a pipeline workforce housing. Mr. Speaker, I think the more important questions this government should be asking are, how are we going to maximize our opportunity for all our northerners, northern labour and businesses? Questions that the government should be answering are things like, how are northern businesses going to be asked? How could they work under these housing projects? How are northern businesses going to be able to take advantage of these housing project benefits? How is our northern labour going to be trained and hired for opportunities under these housing projects that would train them for the long term and not just for three months or whatever short-term task to do a small thing?
Mr. Speaker, one of the questions that the government should ask is, how is this government going to develop 1,400 lots, and how and when are they going to start talking to other governments, departments and organizations to make this happen? Why is it that the government should be developing lots when it is usually the private industry that should be doing that? Why is it that the government is approaching Imperial Oil about one idea from one company, when they should be looking at a very broad view? I would like to say to this government that it should really practice what it preaches. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause