Frederick Blake Jr.

Mackenzie Delta

Statements in Debates

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 11)

Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned, the Tsiigehtchic ferry was launched on Friday I believe and started service Sunday afternoon. I'd like to ask the Minister: why is the Peel River ferry not launched and not in service at this time?

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 11)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and welcome colleagues. Mr. Speaker, it has been over a week since the water level has dropped to its normal level within my riding. Yet there has been no work started on the ferry landings. This is the first year I have seen the ferry launch before the landings were prepared. As of this morning, the Peel River ferry was still on the land. Also, the slipways are not in place and the landings are not even prepared. Mr. Speaker, my constituents want to know why this is. Usually the Peel River is the first ferry that is in place. During this time of year, our cost of living...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 10)

How will the new formula funding take into account the rising cost of living?

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 10)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last year MACA reviewed the funding model to community governments and is look at moving to a needs-based funding formula. I'd like to ask the Minister: what kind of feedback has the Minister received from community governments on this funding model? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 10)

I am sure the Minister will know first-hand the importance of signage and delineators along our highways. Does the Minster know exactly which sections will be worked on this summer? Is it kilometres 0 to 30, as I mentioned, or is it further down the highway?

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 10)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in the new year I had an opportunity to go hunting up in my riding, and while hunting in the Yukon side of the territory, on our way back traveling with some of my constituents we had whiteout conditions on the Northwest Territories side of the border. At that time, one of my constituents brought it to my attention that it's very difficult to see the delineators alongside the highway.

Many times in this House, I've commended the Department of Transportation with the widening efforts that's on the highway, but now we need to ensure that we put those...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 10)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, that leads me to my next question. When can we expect to see this new plan to be rolled out? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 10)

I'd also like to ask the Minister: what are we doing to ensure communities won't be negatively impacted by changes to the formula funding?

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 10)

I know the Minister will be up in the region next month, in the middle of the month. Will the Minister be open to travelling the Dempster with me for a trip so he could see for himself the challenges up there?

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 10)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in follow-up to my Member's statement earlier, I have a few questions for the Minister of Transportation. As I mentioned, many times travelling the Dempster Highway, we have whiteout conditions, high-blowing snow, high winds. It's challenging. Many times, travelling the Dempster, there are no delineators along the highway. I’d like to ask the Minister: will the Minister ensure that we begin work on replacing delineators along the Dempster from kilometre 0 to kilometre 30, which has the majority of high winds?