David Krutko

Mr. Speaker, the hamlet of Aklavik and myself fully support the efforts of MACA in trying to deal with this problem. We know that it’s a cost issue, but again, we have health concerns in our communities. We need to address the water problems in these communities.

So again, I’d like to ask the Minister: do you have any time frames on when we can see construction beginning in these communities?

Does the committee agree that the consideration of Minister’s Statement 1-16(2) and Minister’s Statement 9-16(2) is concluded?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. Our people have continued to celebrate by way of feasts, dances and storytelling about their journeys during the past winter, and get together like they did for hundreds of years.

Yet we also continue to celebrate in the Mackenzie Delta at that time of year through different festivals that take place by way of the Mad Trapper Rendezvous in Aklavik, which is March 21–24, the Mackenzie River Jamboree in Tsiigehtchic, which will be April 4–6, and the Peel River Jamboree in Fort McPherson, which will take place April 18–20.

Again, Mr. Speaker, everyone...

I’d like to call the Committee of the Whole to order. In consideration in the Committee of the Whole we have Minister’s Statement 1-16(2), Minister’s Statement 9-16(2).

Mr. Speaker, in regard to the motion considering the possibility of levelized rates in the Northwest Territories, I think it’s long overdue in realizing the costs to this government: the cost of administering the Territorial subsidy program, the housing subsidy for power, the cost to proceed with the general rate applications. We’re looking in the range of some $60 million if you add it all up. I think that, as a government, we realize the implications that it has and the possibility of re-profiling those dollars to really deal with the cost of living and bring down the cost of energy in our...

Mr. Speaker, the economic benefit of this project to the community is enormous. Whenever projects are bid in our communities, the benefit that flows to the local contractors for site work and labour work — in most cases that’s all we see anyhow, but for us that’s a boost in our economy.

Again, the construction contractors in this community are waiting for this project to take place. They’ve been waiting for some time. Again, I keep telling them all, “It’s coming; it’s coming.” I’d like to ensure that the Minister makes sure that we do stick on track, try to get this project on the ground this...

Mr. Speaker, my question again is for the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. I continue to hear him making commitments to the Member from Yellowknife Centre, yet this project you’re talking about is in the Mackenzie Delta. It’s going to affect the people in Aklavik. It’s the community of Aklavik that should be consulted, not someone from Yellowknife Centre.

I’d like to ask the Minister: before you commit to consulting anyone, do you consult with the hamlet of Aklavik, the MLA for Mackenzie Delta and the people in Aklavik if there are any changes and any effects of this project by any...

Mr. Speaker, in regard to the extent of the appointment, I understand that the way it was advertised, the term of the appointment was supposedly for a three-year term, as it was advertised in the newspapers. So by making an appointment which exceeds the six years — which is basically 2009, which is a year from now — it would have exceeded that appointment. So what’s the term limit of the appointment, knowing it will exceed the six years?

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. At this time I’ll ask the committee responsible for overseeing the bill if they have any comments.

Item 7, Transportation, appropriation authority required: $39,415,000.

Transportation, $39,415,000 approved.