I think we have to get that in perspective and do what's best for the people of the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, the NWT is ranked fourth out of 65 countries worldwide, surveyed by the Fraser Institute, but we're ranked last in terms of infrastructure and the quality of our infrastructure and this has a significant impact on the development and the investment in the Northwest Territories, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, $90 million is spent annually in the Northwest Territories in tourism. We can double that with a highway, Mr. Speaker. All the small communities along the way would benefit from it; people in the Northwest Territories would benefit from it. We have to continue to lobby Ottawa to get what's right for the Northwest Territories.
They have a Canada strategic infrastructure fund and it's directed to projects of major federal and regional significance. Now, this project is of major significance to the Northwest Territories, Mr. Speaker. It also says it enhances the quality of life of Canadians. We are Canadians. It would enhance our quality of life and it's something we should seriously look at. The budget 2006 announced an additional $2 billion going into the funding, which brings the total to $6 billion. Where's our share of that? I don't see it, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to know what the other provinces are getting.
I think we have to quit dreaming, Mr. Speaker, and have this highway become reality because it's something that we do need. Thank you.
---Applause