David Ramsay

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.

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.

Mr. Speaker, the application of road salt happens when the temperature is minus 10 and rising in periods of close to freezing. It is considered to be better application than the gravel in those instances. It is not used all the time, all winter, but predominantly in the fall and the spring. Because our climate is changing and we are seeing more days where we are susceptible to freezing rain, the use of salt has increased. If the climate continues to change, that trend is likely to continue. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, entrepreneurs and small business owners are a crucial part of the Northwest Territories’ economy. They are essential to creating an economic environment that is strong and diversified, providing each region with opportunities and choices.

The last few years have been challenging for business and investment in the Northwest Territories. The downturn in the global economy also affected this territory, and it is more important than ever to do what we can to help the NWT economy grow and develop. Today I would like to highlight recent work this government is doing to assist small...

I believe the Member is asking for my opinion. The question is a bit hypothetical, if you want my opinion. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I do appreciate the Member’s comments in regard to the funding request, the $2.5 million. I just want to restate something I believe my colleague Minister Miltenberger stated earlier. The Tuktoyaktuk to Inuvik highway is the first section of the Mackenzie Valley Highway and we need to start somewhere. If we want to realize the dream, a highway in the Mackenzie Valley, this is the beginning of that. So, again, I just wanted to put that out there. We need to start somewhere and this is where we’re going to start. I appreciate the Member’s support. Thank you.