Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My Member's statement today is about the need for an airport authority. In the context of grassroots governance, Mr. Speaker, we have health and social services authorities; we have boards for education; we even have the WCB Governance Council, Mr. Speaker; so it is time to consider an airport authority.
We need to empower the airport to act like a business in a business manner, Mr. Speaker. Let businesses tell the authority what they need so they can respond more effectively. Let's give the authority that strength that they can come forward with ideas to help operate and run the airport in a businesslike way. It would respond better to the customers' needs. Let's face it. The airport needs to operate more like an authority under the business context because they could be proactive in meeting the needs such as the clients that fly through the airport everyday. They could help bring out tourism. They could even help with the city of Yellowknife to develop services out there. So it is about responding to customer and client needs, Mr. Speaker. Let's expand the business opportunities where we can give the airport authority the tools so they can encourage businesses out there. Let the airport authority focus on what they do and what they do best, running airports, Mr. Speaker, and they can run it in a businesslike mandate way. It would give them proper focus. Let the authority work and encourage circumpolar flights that could land here in Yellowknife, Mr. Speaker. This could encourage much needed revenue in our territory.
The Edmonton Airport Authority acknowledges the role that they play in economic development for businesses. They say supporting the economic growth of regions demands that we show financial and business leadership.
Mr. Speaker, I think that truly speaks to the need. It is about a healthy attitude here. Tourism operators can work with the authority to help bring Japanese tourists directly to Yellowknife. Imagine that, Mr. Speaker; not Alaska, not Whitehorse, but Yellowknife.
Tourism could work with the authority to encourage those large airline companies to consider plans to touch down here. Mr. Speaker, it has been said before, if you pave it, they will come. Our highway is proof of that. So, Mr. Speaker, I think Yellowknife and the NWT have grown up enough. It is time that our airport grows with us so we could make something that befits the capital today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause