Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Our forests offer an amazing potential for diversifying our diet, from birch syrup to nutrient-laden mushrooms and other foods. Renewable energy is available in every community, varying from area to area. Building skills and materials are available, but need investigation and development.
The Minister of Finance noted yesterday that we are totally vulnerable to rising costs and global economic conditions, yet he failed to address how to become less vulnerable. Instead, this government's sole response seems to be to join the madness and pursue mega-development with predictable social, environmental and local economic consequences.
Mr. Speaker, I urge this government to recognize the incredible potential and innovation of our culturally diverse people and to provide real incentives, opportunities and requirements for environmentally, economically and socially sustainable development. We need to meet real needs with real solutions. Mahsi.