Jackson Lafferty

Masi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] Thank you, Mr. Speaker. About the main road that I mentioned earlier, we know there has been a lot of traffic and a lot of collisions. We have a few people passed on Highway No. 3, and so far, we had about six from our home community of Behchoko. [Translation ends] I would like to ask the Minister of Infrastructure: Would the Minister of Infrastructure please provide this House with a 10-year breakdown of the vehicle accidents on Highway No. 3 between Yellowknife, Behchoko, and Fort Providence which involve tractor-trailer units? The Minister may not have the...

Masi, Madam Chair. Obviously, we need to be provided with that detailed information. I know for a fact that there has been ongoing discussion with Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, NWT Housing Corporation, and Finance, with the federal ministers. We are at a critical stage. We can say 17 years is a long time, but it's going to fly by. We are already into year one, over year one, of our term here, so I am looking forward to that detailed information because we need to have a plan now. No questions at this point, but I will look forward to the information that will be gathered for the...

Masi, Mr. Speaker. I am glad the Minister is receptive to looking at reducing, possibly, the speed limit for these transport operators. Obviously, that would be a good start for this government. The safety of Highway No. 3 also should be and must be a priority, no matter who or what company they are working for. The posted speed limit should be obeyed at all times, especially for the tractor-trailer drivers, who we have seen so many times speeding. We are here to provide some options and ideas, so this is one of the recommendations that has been passed on to me: Could the Minister possibly...

I would be one of those frequent travellers on Highway No. 3 because I represent Behchoko and the communities, and obviously, I see a lot of semi tractor-trailers on the highway. Every time I am on the highway, there are big trucks on the highway. Speeding is the number one cause of these accidents, especially during the winter road season when it opens up, which is today, so there will be a lot of tractor-trailers on Highway No. 3. There will be very busy traffic, up to 6,000 loads, I believe, going up to the mine sites. These tractor-trailers don't slow down when there are vehicles parked on...

Masi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] Today, I am going to talk about Highway No. 3. Today, as we all know, the winter road has opened to the mines. When we look at it, there are a lot of people travelling on Highway No. 3. All sorts of vehicles go through. At times, we know that there is danger, and yet, that's the way that we are living today. Right now, we have issues that have been brought a few times already. This is why I am bringing it up again. [Translation ends]

Many have been hurt driving the road. Many have been killed, Mr. Speaker. Most recently being Kelly Washie, a 45-year-old...

Madam Chair, probably just a quick question because, every main estimate and budget plan, we talk about NWT Housing Corporation, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation contributions. As you know, it's coming to an end in 2038, 17 years from now. I am sure this is an ongoing discussion with Finance and housing. What's the plan going forward? It will be depleted. We have got to start planning now. I am just wondering where things are at with that, Madam Chair. Masi.

Masi, Mr. Speaker. Yes, if the Minister can provide that detailed information, that will be very helpful. My last question obviously is: What would be the process? Okay, there is a gathering in March, and obviously, there is a process in place. Can the Minister describe, because I am very interested in in-house training that is going to be happening, but at the same time, there is Aurora College that is involved, as well. It has been involved in the past. Can the Minister describe how Aurora College has been enlisted to ensure that we have a sufficient number of professional interpreters and...

[Translation] Regarding the training, it's very important to us. I want to ask another question. [Translation ends] [Microphone turned off]... I am involved in that. I am teaching a non-language speaker, so basically, I am a teacher to this student. It's my daughter that I am teaching, and it is very rewarding to be a part of that. The Minister has indicated that in the committee's statement that I'm walking the talk. This needs to happen. I am encouraging a lot more people to get involved. Maro Sundberg is involved in that, as well, which is great.

Mr. Speaker, the second question I do have is...

Masi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] Today I would like to speak on behalf of the interpreters, but before that, when we speak here, some days, they speak too fast for the interpreters, because when I have my earphone on, some speakers are really fast speakers. Today, the interpreters are very important for the Northwest Territories. Without them, everyone would be speaking only English. At the hospital, at the court services, in any government offices, they all speak only English. When we look at the interpreters, they are very important to us. We want those services available. This is what I...

I am very interested in the in-house training, and I am glad that the Minister is gathering, over the video-teleconferencing, those experts at the community level in March. I would like to know, because this will be in-house training, more specifically, have there been any dedicated extra funds for in-house translator-interpreter training in pursuit of those goals that I mentioned earlier?