Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to thank the Members for coming forward and bringing this motion to the House, working together on it. It’s an initiative that we’ve highlighted on quite a number of occasions since the start of the 16th Assembly. I’ve taken the opportunity on a

number of fronts, whether it was with the Prime Minister or on a recent trip to Ottawa on the federal budget looking at an economic stimulus plan and trying to have this project recognized and

established with the federal government. It is, indeed, good to see that Members have pulled together on this project and support a joint initiative.

We’ve heard some figures put on the floor here about the cost of the project. We know that there are interested groups in the Northwest Territories. We’ve heard of the Mackenzie Aboriginal Corporation who has been a part of the work in trying to get the federal government to establish this project as well. They’ve done some of their work. Our Department of Transportation is highlighted by Minister Michael McLeod on their initiative to get this work done and do an analysis of the cost-benefit side. We know at some point we’re going to have to go out. If we get the federal government to establish this project, put it on the books and fund it, then we can talk about how we’re going to get that project built and work with groups like the Mackenzie Aboriginal Corporation at that time to see this project move along. Most importantly, we need to get this project established and put on the books with the federal government, as they still hold the key responsibility in this area.

I again thank Members for bringing this forward and I look forward to our building on this together and having a joint initiative, whether it is the approach down in Ottawa with our aboriginal partners in the Northwest Territories, to see the federal government establish this project for the benefit of all people in the Northwest Territories.