Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’d
like to offer a few words and ask the Members who are supporting this motion to reconsider.
Mr. Chairman, obviously, as minister of health one doesn’t need to say a lot about the benefits of parks and opportunities, RV sites and other outdoor activities, that we would like to encourage our residents to partake in. I understand that although we have a lot of RV sites and parks all across the Territories — and I’ve seen a few of them when I’m driving on Highway No. 3 — the RV site in the North Slave area is the only one where the supply doesn’t meet anywhere near the demand. As Mr. Miltenberger stated already and as Minister Bob McLeod said, this area has been one that has been neglected in terms of capital investment for many, many years.
In my time here — this is my ninth budget — I think this is the biggest investment the government has proposed, and it’s one we all should pay more attention to. I should also tell you that a month ago I had the occasion to attend a meeting of the public on the Reid park issue. I have to honestly say that that was the biggest meeting I have ever attended, including the public school and Catholic school issues. I got introduced to a whole new area of public interest about camping and the importance of access to camping for families with children and
families who want an opportunity to take part in outdoor activities that are convenient and accessible.
Now, I know there’s a question being raised here: that the details were not known as to exactly what this money was. This is something new that’s being said in this Chamber, that I’ve not heard before, which is what the budget process is. As far as I know, Members come down here and we ask questions back and forth. You get more information from the Minister, and that helps you make your decision. I would just like to encourage the Members to rethink what this item is about and that it’s a start of the process.
Half the projects of this kind need a multi-year plan, and this is part 1 of the plan to expand the park system and access and taking steps on the protected air strategy. The next business cycle, the next budget, doesn’t come around for another year. I think there are some people out there who might consider that this is an urgent matter.
With that, I would encourage the Members to rethink and to think about not going with this motion.
Interjections.