Thank you, Mr. Speaker. WHEREAS there are over $630 million in financial commitments attached to existing oil and gas exploration leases in the Canol shale formation;

AND WHEREAS oil and gas exploration activity has increased significantly in the Sahtu over the past two winter work seasons, and there are strong indications not only that exploration activity will continue to increase, but that a long-term

production field employing hundreds and possibly thousands of workers will become a reality;

AND WHEREAS all levels of government stand to benefit from increased resource development in the Sahtu, which could potentially become a major economic driver for the territory;

AND WHEREAS recent events have proven that the existing Mackenzie Valley winter road infrastructure is already inadequate to support current traffic bringing supplies into the region, and will not stand up to even higher traffic levels as exploration activity increases and production activity begins;

AND WHEREAS many potential workers in the Sahtu and elsewhere in the Mackenzie Valley and the NWT are lacking in training and skills needed for employment in oil and gas and related sectors;

AND WHEREAS a substantial capacity-building effort is needed in the near future to ensure Sahtu and NWT residents benefit from employment opportunities arising from the Canol shale play;

AND WHEREAS there is precedent for significant federal human resource development assistance in the Voisey’s Bay area of Labrador which in recent years saw rapid development in its mining sector;

AND WHEREAS it would be tragic if the tremendous potential benefits in terms of jobs and economic growth from the Sahtu oil and gas exploration and development were not realized for want only of a timely and relatively small upfront investment in capacity building and transportation infrastructure;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Nahendeh, that the Government of the Northwest Territories immediately initiate discussions with the Government of Canada to prioritize funding for an all-weather Mackenzie Valley Highway from Wrigley into the Sahtu;

AND FURTHER, that the Government of the Northwest Territories immediately initiate discussions with the Government of Canada to seek federal investment in human resource development initiatives along the lines of the Voisey’s Bay model;

AND FURTHERMORE, that the Government of the Northwest Territories provide a comprehensive response to this motion within 120 days.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.