David Krutko

I’d like to thank the Minister for that. We also realize that in order for projects to get on the agenda for the Building Canada Fund, they have to be at a certain stage of assessment and validation in looking at the capital costs of those projects. So that’s the challenge a lot of our smaller communities have with our projects. We don’t have the ability to access the Department of Transportation or Public Works or infrastructure departments to assist us in compiling that information so that we can make the list, so I think that’s the challenge we’re facing. Also, out of the Building Canada...

In regard to making that decision, trying to acquire information after the fact doesn’t help us here. We need that information now in order to know that the decision we’re making will not have an implication for the retail market in Inuvik. Knowing that these leases are month to month, there is no certainty by way of lease commitments. So how can you expect us to make a rash decision on the basis of not having that information in front of us?

Again, Mr. Chairman, in the 15th Assembly a lot of work was put into this project and moving it ahead. It was done by the Minister of Education, the Minister of Public Works and the MLAs, and it was on the drawing board to move ahead.

Something has happened between the 15th and the 16th Assemblies, where this project has basically moved totally off the game plan that was put in place in the 15th Assembly. This was supposedly moving forward during that period of time. A lot of work and a lot of reviews took place. There was a plan in place to move on this project. We have the reports. We have...

Mr. Chairman, I believe there is a correlation between maintenance and no maintenance, and we know people are complaining that there is no maintenance being done on the road by government because of cutbacks or reductions. We’ve been telling the people in the field, “Sorry; we don’t have any money; we can’t do any maintenance,” and basically using that as the reason for not doing maintenance. I think we do have a responsibility to ensure that maintenance takes place. Cost reduction reasons is usually the excuse for not doing maintenance.

So I’d like to ask the Minister again: what is this...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Minister, earlier on when I asked a question in regard to leases in Inuvik, mentioned that he didn’t have it. Does he have it at the present time? I think he’s got enough staff by way of Public Works and Services that he should be able to compile that information. He had a couple of hours. I’d like to ask the Minister if that information has been brought forward. I think this government cannot knowingly or unknowingly know what the implication of this decision is until you know what the terms of those leases are for the government in regard to the Inuvik project. I...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just following up on the Diamond Jenness school. There have been two technical review studies done since 1980; 1996, I believe, was the last one. I know for a fact that this thing has been on the drawing board in the past, has been scheduled in regard to our capital planning process, and it continues to keep being bumped forward versus trying to do something with it. I think it is important as a government that we do everything we can do to bring this project to fruition or allow it to see the light of day.

There are some major technical challenges to that facility. It is...

Mr. Chair, I’m sitting beside Mr. Bromley, and we’re looking at the same information, so I’m not too sure what the more current information is that you’re talking about. If we can look at the information that is current so that it is as current as we can get it.

I have a question with regard to the insurance and liability of this government. I have several inquiries from my constituents about the condition of the roads and damages that occurred to their vehicles by way of punctured fuel tanks, busted steering rods and in some cases wheels falling off.

I know this government has under the Department of Finance a risk management and insurance section, and I know that it insures normal wear and tear. But when you have steering rods busting off and people’s tanks being punctured because of the condition of the roads, I think this government has to face the...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, colleagues, and I thank the Minister for his comments. Again, we’re spending $20 million, but I believe we’re going to be coming back here in the next short while wondering where the money went. I have to state that due process was not followed in this case. From the Minister’s comments today he doesn’t know what the terms of the leases are in the Inuvik region. Are they month to month? Are they one year? Are they five years? Are they ten year leases? Without that information, you can’t tell me that the government will remain in those facilities in the near...

In regard to the cost of the improvements at Shell Lake how much money has been expended there to date?