Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I had an opportunity this morning, along with my colleagues from the Nunakput riding and the Sahtu, to have an update from Richard Nerysoo who just got back from Ottawa meeting with the federal Minister and Privy Council, Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs Chuck Strahl and the Minister of Natural Resources. They are pushed to try to get the Mackenzie Highway built up the Mackenzie Valley. Mr. Speaker, they are looking at a partnership with all the First Nations governments up and down the valley to build a road which we’ve been waiting for some time to see constructed.

In his discussions, it seemed like the federal Ministers were asking where the Government of the Northwest Territories is on this major project for the

Mackenzie Valley, of which we are talking about $1.8 billion.

Mr. Speaker, I think it’s important that we continue to work together with our partners, the aboriginal groups, the Mackenzie Valley Construction, to ensure that we have a system in place that we can move this major project forward. It’s not going to be easy, but I think through the partnership arrangement that’s been considered by the First Nation governments from the Deh Cho all the way to Nunakput, the Sahtu and the Gwich’in settlement areas, that we have to move this project forward.

Mr. Speaker, I think it’s important that this capital investment happen right now with regard to the natural and fiscal restraints we are under, but more importantly putting people to work, investing in our infrastructure and making sure this capital project moves. Yes, it’s a major project, but like any major project we do have to have the incentive to move forward, get the support from all our partners and, more importantly, convince the federal government that the Government of the Northwest Territories is onside with the coalition which consists of groups from up and down the valley to move the Mackenzie Valley Highway forward.

I think it’s important that this government or this House show we support this major initiative by way of a capital project. I think we should have a debate in this House and I believe we will be later on next week.

I will be asking the Minister of Transportation about this issue with regard to the transportation infrastructure for the Northwest Territories and the Mackenzie Valley Highway.