Mr. Speaker, as we all know, this is a joint appointment. I believe the last time it was advertised in the papers here. Would it also be advertised in the Nunavut papers? Also, would interested groups be able to take part by way of aboriginal organizations being notified about this appointment?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. If we are talking about access road 177 which I believe is 20-odd kilometres, same as the road to Aklavik’s gravel source -- I think it was 22 kilometres -- can we use a rough ball estimate for these access roads? Are we talking $1 million a kilometre? If that is the case, could that be the basis of building a road from Aklavik to the gravel source in regards to the gravel source based on that estimate of $18 million for 20 kilometres?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister can also assist me by way of the community businesses and also finding ways of why they are not being considered when it comes to tenders, which could be either sole sourced or basically as and when tenders, where these businesses are already existing. You don’t need somebody driving from Inuvik or flying from Inuvik to provide a plumbing job where you have a plumber in the community. Why is it that you are not considering local tenders? If you are not doing that, I would like to ask the Minister, can he talk to the people in the Inuvik office? Why are they...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In regard to an all-weather access road, basically it’s a capital project of this government to gravel sources. Every community should have access to their gravel sources. I’d like to point out that in regard to the $6 million here, why is it that communities who are trying to get dollars to get to their access for gravel are having such a tough time, yet we’re able to approve this budget here? How many communities are out there that have built roads to their gravel sources and used other capital projects, regardless of if it’s a community access road project or in...

Mr. Speaker, if the government was following the MOU, the contractor would have had an opportunity to see what tenders are available and have an opportunity to either consider negotiating contract, sole-source contracting or as and when services. I would like to ask the Minister, why is it that you are not using contractors who are established businessmen in our communities by way of as and when contracts than simply having people walk into your office in Inuvik?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The point I’m trying to make is we have supported two capital projects in this House, yet one’s going ahead and the other one they’re doing a study right now. After the study is done there is going to be capital dollars needed to do the project. I’d like to know if there are any plans regarding our business planning process where there will be an opportunity for capital dollars to be approved either through a supp or the basic capital planning process for the Aklavik access road.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to go back to Item 7.

---Unanimous consent granted

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As I mentioned, there was a motion passed in this House supporting both the Tuk access road project and the Aklavik access road project. I’d like to know if there are any capital dollars allocated in next year’s budget for the Aklavik access road.

I heard a yes there, so there is hope for this project after all. Mr. Speaker, I believe that in order for this proposal to see the light of day, we do have to find a unique way of doing it. We may have to consider tolls. We may have to consider how you finance it, the cost for the ferry operations, the cost for the ice bridge going forward and also exactly how long a term of the lease there is.

Right now, there is a proposal being developed looking at the different scenarios of a 30 or 40-year lease commitment. Will the Minister consider looking at the possibility of looking outside the GNWT...

I lied. It’s not my last question. You mentioned that it’s going to be coming forward by way of the capital planning process. Like I say, there’s been a lot of capital infrastructure, especially in Fort Smith where I mentioned the electric heat. I believe there’s also a project at the college. I’d like to know, can you give us a breakdown of exactly how much of these type of dollars by way of unique projects like electric heat, wood pellets are in place and where those capital expenditures are being spent to date and why is it all focused in the south of the Northwest Territories?