David Ramsay

Mr. Speaker, the traditional economy is an important source of income for many Northwest Territories residents and one of the sectors that this government supports as part of our goal of a diversified economy. Today I would like to share some good news about our Genuine Mackenzie Valley Fur Program.

We are at the threshold of a new trapping season. Last year’s wild fur sold for record prices, resulting in nearly $2 million in income and program benefits for our trappers. This was the best year for sales in 23 years and prospects for this coming year are positive, as demand from China and Russia...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I believe that is done every, roughly, 10 years and we have had some success with that application. It’s also used, I’ll mention this, that compound EK35 has also been used in the community, I believe, of Tulita. They had used that to put it down in the community of Tulita to supress the dust and it does work. They were happy with that application. We’ve had success with it at runways around the territory.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. There was a comprehensive review done in 2007 and the airport in Aklavik wasn’t identified at that time as a priority. We do review annually the priorities and needs around the territory, so if things have changed in Aklavik and the need arises to have another look at that, it’s something we would consider.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I believe we have one witness here that I’d like to bring into the Chamber. If the other comes, they come. We can start with one.

Thanks. I’ll just get Mr. Neudorf to explain that. Thank you.

Again, I thank the Member for raising the concern on behalf of the community and the residents in Nahanni. It certainly is something I’ve committed to already, and I commit again to the Member to sit down and review the situation and try to find the assistance that’s necessary to help those folks out in Nahanni Butte.

We don’t have plans for the Merv Hardie once it comes out of the river at Fort Providence. With the Louis Cardinal we just put new engines into the Louis Cardinal three years ago. We’re working on plans to extend the ice roads in the Beaufort-Delta near the Member’s communities and really the big point is, and I have to say, the Merv Hardie does cost more to operate. So what we intend to do is mothball it. It will be there if we need it. We don’t have any intentions on selling it or disposing of it in any other way. We’re going to have it as a backup, and as I mentioned in response to Member...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have a harvesters Disaster Compensation Program that’s allotted $15,000 on an annual basis. It has a maximum of $4,500 per applicant. I understand the Member’s concern, and I had the opportunity to visit the community of Nahanni Butte with the Premier and the Member just after the flood had occurred. Certainly, the residents of Nahanni Butte need the government’s assistance. If there are, as the Member indicated, a few people that have concerns, that’s something that we’re willing to sit down with the Member and the community to discuss how we can get them assistance...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just to clarify – and I thank the Member for his question – was it to replace the Louis Cardinal? Was that the question?

Processes like the EA take some time. I know the economy right now in the Beaufort-Delta isn’t what folks need it to be. We need jobs, we need opportunities there. I believe this project is going to help us deliver on growing the economy in the Beaufort-Delta. Should the project be approved in February-March, we will be able to hopefully move on a couple of sections that are shovel ready, both out of Inuvik and out of Tuk. Hopefully the project itself would commence construction in the fall of next year. That would be the fall of 2013.