Thank you, Mr. Chair. I believe the department has to be transparent. They have to be visible in our communities, not run out of town ten kilometres and think they cannot provide a service. I think it’s crucial that this department…. It’s fundamental, especially for our harvesters and people in communities who depend on this department to assist them, and especially our trappers and hunters, in regard to issues such as fur sales. The first I’ve heard of talk about a storefront and whatnot here….
This motion just basically supports that idea that Inuvik has to have some storefront presence in the community. By simply moving out to Shell Lake and assuming it’s comfortable for everybody, I don’t feel comfortable doing that. Also, I know constituents I’ve talked to want to be able to be assured that they can have these services provided, especially as Inuvik is our regional centre. A lot of people from outside Inuvik go into Inuvik and meet with the people within this department and also meet with other departments and have to run all over the place.
The government should consider a service model and ensure that services are being distributed and offered fairly to everyone. We talk about decentralization, we talk about bringing services closer to the people and the communities, yet in this case it seems like the decision’s been made with no consideration for the people we serve.
That’s why I’m bringing this motion forward. If the Minister’s comment is true, the main thing this motion could do is to support the storefront operation in Inuvik, which is a little bit of a remedy to having this move out of the community. At least we’ll have some presence in the downtown core in Inuvik and not simply have to drive all the way out to Shell Lake to see the people who should be providing the service in the downtown core. I’d just like to move the motion in regard to that ability, where I for one feel we’re losing an opportunity.
Most harvesters right now…. Going back over the years, old Slim used to have his store practically right on the location where they go now to provide their services, and they’ve been doing that for quite some time. I think the location is not only unique to the department, it also has a lot of history to it. I’d just like the department to seriously consider having a presence continue on in the town of Inuvik and not outside of it.