Thank you, Mr. Chair. I didn’t mean to interrupt my colleague’s flow there, but I just have a few quick ones. First of all, the department seems to be focusing on large projects quite a bit. That’s great when they happen. You know, there’s potential for a lot of benefits, but we don’t have a lot of influence on whether or not they happen. That’s primarily an economic analysis. We do have a lot of influence on whether or not and to the degree to which and how we make sure we tie down benefits from those big projects when they happen.

An example was mentioned by the Minister of Finance in his opening address when he talked about our diamond mines. In 2011 we exported $2.1 billion worth of diamonds. I’m not convinced that we are getting the benefits, especially in the way of lasting benefits and legacy benefits that we should be from the extraction from these non-renewable resources. Once they’re gone, they’re gone.

I get the sense that that approach is continuing here. We are interested in big projects at any cost. We do have some socio-economic agreements and I think we have some good ones. But letting the world know that we support the Mackenzie Gas Project, my gosh, I assure you the world knows the NWT supports the Mackenzie Gas Project at any cost. That includes socio-economic costs.

So I don’t think that’s the correct road to go down. I think we want to be taking a critical approach and so that’s why my emphasis is on the opportunities right now until these projects happen, and working with the communities on things that are appropriate for those communities and obviously where the needs are the greatest. So I guess I’d appreciate any perspectives on that from the Minister.

In terms of the Mackenzie Gas Project, again, we are continuing to fund that as if it’s going to happen soon. It’s clearly not. The Minister knows that. I don’t think he debates that. So I’m mystified by this, you know, believing that it will happen eventually, which he does and he’s said I agree with this. It likely will at some point in time. But why keep

spending? I will have other questions later, but I’m just a bit mystified there.