David Ramsay

That would be until sometime in the winter of 2013.

Yes, that’s something that we could certainly look at in the upcoming business plans.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A training component to that is something the department is interested in and something that we will look at.

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to provide this House and Northerners with an update on the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk portion of the Mackenzie Valley Highway project.

The Government of Canada describes it as “a project of national significance.” We also appreciate that the Caucus of the 17th Assembly has identified it as a strategic infrastructure investment to help strengthen and diversify the Northwest Territories economy. Strategic investments in our infrastructure will be an important part of this government’s plans for growing our economy and realizing the vision of this Assembly.

The...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document, entitled “Minister of Transportation’s Report to the Legislative Assembly on the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1990.”

Those discussions have taken place with the community. There was some concern about spacing the work out so that the community had the ability to do the gravel haul. Under the discussions, I do believe they have agreed to that gravel haul next winter. So that work will proceed at a future date.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Department of Transportation has been using road salt for the de-icing agent in the Northwest Territories for the past 26 years. If the Member would like some detailed information on possible environmental impact of the use of road salt, I would be more than happy to ask the department for that. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, that certainly would be a concern, but as I have mentioned to Member Groenewegen earlier, we are very proud of the fact that last year we had zero fatalities on the roads here in the Northwest Territories. I think that is a testament to the programs that we have, the Drive Alive program and other public safety efforts that we put forth. We are happy to have zero fatalities on our roads. Thank you.

Yes, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would certainly look forward to that discussion with my counterpart in Alberta and we’ll get back to the Member once that does happen.