Mr. Speaker, today, I am going to talk about the future of the polytechnic university in the NWT. Mr. Speaker, as I have said numerous times, having the main campus of Aurora College along with the future polytechnic university headquarters remain in the town of Fort Smith is essential, and not just for the town itself but for the entire Northwest Territories.

For too long, Mr. Speaker, the capital has prospered at the expense of all other communities in the NWT. It's true there are divides in this House on many issues, but by far the issue that causes the most division is deciding what Yellowknife gets in exchange for something else in the budget. In this particular case, though, I am referring to the Mayor in Council of Yellowknife, who in their arrogance is already operating under the assumption that the headquarters of the future polytechnic university will reside in the capital. Mr. Speaker, as MLA for Thebacha, home of the current main campus of Aurora College and home of the education capital of the territory, I take issue with the city's current approach on this matter. In the absence of any formal announcement by the Government of the Northwest Territories. I find it inappropriate and premature for the city of Yellowknife to operate under that assumption.

Mr. Speaker, given the extent of the external movements outside of ECE on this subject, I think it would be prudent of the Government of the Northwest Territories to make the announcement soon so that the future headquarters of the polytech university remains in Fort Smith. Mr. Speaker, the three recently published documents by the Department of ECE regarding governance, research, specialization, and the department's three-year Aurora College strategic plan are all good first steps of the polytech university transition. However, Mr. Speaker, as we move forward on this topic, I would like to once again remind this House of the great historical legacy that the educational facilities of Fort Smith have brought to the Northwest Territories. For example, most well-known northern politicians, professionals, and a highly educated workforce have attended school in Fort Smith, including former Premiers Bob McLeod, Stephen Kakfwi, our current MLA Michael McLeod, our former MP Ethel Blondin-Andrew, and many current Members of this House among many others. Mr. Speaker, we cannot forget the historic legacy, education legacy, that Fort Smith has imprinted in the fabric of the NWT. I will have questions for the Minister of ECE at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.