Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Like my colleagues, I, too, will stand up here today to talk about the benefits of constructing a Mackenzie Valley Highway from Wrigley to Tuktoyaktuk. My riding of Tu Nedhe will not have many direct benefits with the construction of the Mackenzie Valley Highway; however, I have hopes that the construction companies will recognize the rich resources of heavy equipment operators that exist in Fort Resolution. In Fort Resolution we have many very good heavy equipment operators and truck drivers.
Heavy equipment operators and truck drivers would have work on the Mackenzie Valley Highway for several years.
In addition to some employment in my riding, the entire NWT will benefit from the construction of the highway. The Mackenzie Valley Highway will lower the cost of living to those communities along that highway and will have a ripple effect on the rest of the North.
The workers needed to construct the highway will take a lot of families off income support. Again, this will have a positive impact on the rest of the Northwest Territories by relieving some of the social pressures on the GNWT budget.
This highway will have a very positive impact on tourism in the NWT. I feel that thousands of tourists will drive the loop using this highway and the Dempster Highway.
Once a highway is built through communities it opens the doors for many other benefits, such as a housing market and allowing professionals into the communities that would otherwise not live in these communities due to the isolation. Many professionals will not live in these communities because of the isolation and the fact that they cannot invest in a house. With the completion of the highway and the possible emergence of a housing market, professionals can purchase a home, build
equity, and remain in the community for longer periods.
The youth and the students will benefit from teachers remaining in the community for a longer term and we all know the benefits of a healthier youth population. In addition, longer term, stable health professionals will have a major benefit on the health of our people.
I support the construction of the Mackenzie Valley Highway in hopes of employment for my constituents and the lowering of dependence on the social purse which will benefit the entire NWT, including Tu Nedhe.