Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. While I support many of the initiatives in the 2014-15 budget, I remain very concerned about the funding to schools and highways in my region. I recognize the hard work involved in bringing forward a budget that meets residents’ expectations within challenging constraints and competing priorities; however, I cannot overemphasize some of the real needs that continue to put pressure on program delivery in communities within the Nahendeh riding.

I was disappointed that my favorite two words, Highway 7, did not make it in the budget speech. Highway No. 7 did receive some support in the capital infrastructure budget that was passed late last year and I would like to remind the House, and especially my Cabinet colleagues, that important work on Highway No. 7 needs to take a front seat as we consider our spending priorities. When words are mentioned in the budget speech, I feel then it’s a real priority.

Even in the Northwest Territories, the days are getting longer and the groundhog detects an early spring. It is never too soon to think about maintenance on Highway No. 7 and begin work as soon as we can. We must ensure safe and reliable transportation throughout the region and to prepare for the coming thaw.

Leading up to this budget, Members spent a lot of time discussing social envelope initiatives and changes to programming in education. Some of the proposed changes may be good for the youth and their families, but the community of Trout Lake still does not even have a proper school.

Expected changes with education reform cannot make up for lack of appropriate facilities that allow effective delivery of these programs, no matter how good they are. Without real schools that meet community needs, we will continue to struggle to recruit and retain teachers and compromise students’ success.

Putting together this budget on the eve of devolution is also an ambitious task. In order to move ahead on additional programs and services, I insist that Nahendeh receive adequate facilities, safe and reliable transportation as well as quality buildings for our schools. Mahsi cho.