Thank you, Mr. Speaker. [English translation not provided.]

Mr. Speaker, today I’d like to talk about the need to have a proper drainage study done for Lutselk’e in order to properly apply any sort of debt reduction that will be effective. This study and follow-up work is imperative.

Like many small communities here in the North, when the summer rolls around there is a long list of projects that are crammed into a short construction season. Every year new plots of land are surveyed, new housing units are built, new roads are cleared, and existing roads are maintained. All of these activities cannot properly be done without taking into account the drainage characteristics of a particular area. This is a major problem for residents of Lutselk’e. The community cannot effectively do some of these projects until the community has proper drainage.

In Lutselk’e much of the community is situated on sloping terrain and drainage has an everyday impact. Spring rain runoff makes a very wet and muddy mess for residents and unwelcome sights for visitors to this small, isolated community.

There is no question that proper drainage for this community will greatly improve all future municipal works projects. Yards can be developed without coming back year after year to repair. New housing units can be built on long-lasting, solid foundations. And roads can be properly drained, paving the way for future dust control applications.

As well, residents and visitors will finally be able to enjoy this picturesque community without having a cloud of dust hanging over them for many of the dry days. Community residents can go outside without having to use rubber boots all the time.

I look forward to working with the Minister and the community in getting the ball rolling for this important community project. We may someday see a time when mud and dust is not an everyday issue for smaller communities like Lutselk’e.

Later today I will have follow-up questions from my statement for the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs.