David Ramsay

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. We’ve had many discussions with the community of Trout Lake. We continue to pursue the relocation of the airport in Trout Lake. It has been delayed, but we continue to work with the community to maximize the benefits for employment and training at the community level. We will continue to work with the community of Trout Lake to finish the project.

My belief is that there are many individuals in the smaller communities who could benefit from becoming field assistants when it comes to prospecting and that’s the angle that I’d certainly like to see the department continue to pursue so that we can get people to work in the smaller communities, helping prospectors out on the land.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s a great pleasure to welcome the Grade 5 class from N.J. Macpherson located in the great riding of Kam Lake. I’d like to welcome all our young visitors to the Assembly today.

In particular I’ve got a few constituents I wanted to recognize. Sade Blondin, Brady Harbin, and Julia Bikbaeva. I also believe Aidan Drew is my constituent, as well, so I’ll recognize Aidan as well. I once again thank them for wearing pink on Anti-Bullying Day and welcome to the House.

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.

Yesterday in the House we approved the $2.5 million in the supp. That will enable us now to go out and do that work that will, again, push us towards developing a risk matrix for the Tuk-Inuvik highway. So I want to thank the Members that supported that yesterday. Again, we will continue to make sure that the project does move forward. Thank you.

Thank you. Yes, we’ll do that. Thank you.