Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to talk about the improvement of telecommunications in the Northwest Territories. I know there was a major debate yesterday in the House about 911 service for six communities. I think as a government we have to realize that we represent 33 communities in the Northwest Territories and we must improve the telecommunications, Internet service and uplinks to all our communities in the Northwest Territories. If this government is going to make any capital investment, it should be to the benefit of all Northerners. I think it’s important that this government seriously weigh in on this decision.
There was a decision made by the Yukon government to provide cell phone services to all communities in the Yukon. They made a political decision, they made a capital investment and now any community you go to in the Yukon you can use your cell phone service. You can drive down any major road system in the Yukon between Dawson, Mayo, Whitehorse, and receive cell phone calls on the highway system. I think it’s that type of communication that will benefit all Northerners in the Northwest Territories and not just 911 services for six communities. I think it’s important to realize that as a government and as a territory we have to represent all of the Territory in any political decision that we make.
Mr. Speaker, I know it’s important that this government reaches out to Research Canada in regard to finding the federal investment, but more importantly, to improve the telecommunications in
the Northwest Territories. Yes, we have some political challenges in regard to telecommunications in our smaller communities, but there are efforts out there such as Falcon Communications and SSI Micro. We have a lot of companies that have basically established themselves in regard to ICE Wireless. You can receive Bell service here in Yellowknife and other communities. I think the systems are there. We have to make that capital investment.
So, Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time I will be asking the Minister or the Premier if this government will seriously consider making a capital investment to benefit the 33 communities in the Northwest Territories in regard to improving our telecommunications and Internet systems throughout the Northwest Territories. Mahsi cho.