Mr. Speaker, I want to make a comment that we have had a number of discussions with Indian and Northern Affairs Canada regarding this program, which is an important program for communities across the North. We have 17 communities in the Northwest Territories that qualify.
As the Member has indicated, this is a $40 million to $50 million program. However, the bulk of the investment for this program goes into Nunavut and Nunavik. We get a small percentage. I think last year we got about $1.4 million of that revenue coming into our communities.
We’ve made a number of recommendations over the years to change how some of the program is run and operated, including the point of origin for shipments to allow them to be consolidated at any southern point. We’ve also asked that the airlines themselves be allowed to administer this program.
The review has started. It had started in the life of the previous government prior to the federal election. That has really brought the whole review to a standstill. We’re expecting that the new Minister appointed will pick it up again. We do have a northern representative
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his name is Graeme
Dargo
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who is leading the NWT consultations.
Mr. Speaker, we certainly respect the request for an audit. We all agree that there should be best value in this program. Again, since this is a recommendation to the government, our Cabinet will be abstaining from this motion.