Joe Handley

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think I already answered that one, but the GNWT has loaned the Bridge Corporation money to pay all of their costs up to now and will continue to do that to the point that the financing is in place for the bridge. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We don’t have to go back to the trucking companies or the industry again. It’s still the same amount as we said it was in 2002 indexed. So that $6 is now $6.75 or so. By the time the bridge is built in 2010 it will be something different. That’s the same deal that was offered to the industry and trucking companies in 2002. It’s still the same deal. Mr. Speaker, it’s very simple. It’s not hard to figure out.

What has the cost of the total project gone up? Well, there was a presentation done to the committee on it. I can give the Member another copy of it if he...

Mr. Speaker, yes, she can take my answer to mean that we will not let this one drop. We will see if there’s another way of helping this group. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have taken this issue up with the Department of Public Works who are responsible for the government warehouse, which is the facility the ministry was interested in. I want to acknowledge first the good work that the ministry does with young people and the efforts they’ve made on this skateboard park idea and King of Kings competition that they’re putting on. Mr. Speaker, it’s all good work for young people.

Unfortunately, when we took a look at the government warehouse then, there were several issues; the primary one being just space. There just was not the space...

Mr. Speaker, I request unanimous consent to return to item number 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am sure that the regional director is working with the Behchoko leadership on this one. I’m not sure exactly what the Member is asking. When it comes to housing, then, yes, we definitely are working through the local housing authority, community services agency and also with the Behchoko government on that. Mr. Speaker, there are a number of units going into each of the communities. In Behchoko there are 33 units that will be going in there over the next couple of years. On office space, I’m not sure of any specific discussions that are happening on that front....

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member is obviously watching the same television channel I am. I have seen those premier bathtubs advertised for ever and ever. Ed McMahon calls them premier. They look very comfortable. They look very nice for people to step into. Mr. Speaker, I can say that the Housing Corporation is doing a review of those tubs to see whether or not they are what Ed McMahon says they are.

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Are they really that good a product? If they are, then definitely we would consider them. I don’t think they will eliminate the need for home care, but they will certainly help...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The regional director has been dealing with this issue; he has been looking at which staff positions can be transferred, the availability of staff housing and the availability of office space. Mr. Speaker, I don’t have an up-to-date report on exactly where that’s at. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I said earlier, the cost to the users of the bridge is $6 a tonne in 2002 dollars, or roughly $6.75 today and some other figure in 2010 when it is completed. Nothing has changed that. Mr. Speaker, I expect that, because nothing has changed, the Association of Communities will still take the same position they had before, because their costs have not increased relative to everything else that is going up, of course, in life and the cost of living in the North.

Mr. Speaker, let’s go beyond communities. The additional benefit is to the mining communities. Mr...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am sorry the Member can’t attend the celebration, but if he wishes to send a message, then I would be happy to deliver that on his behalf.

---Laughter

I say that most sincerely, because I think the people in Fort Providence that combine the community alliance would appreciate that from Members.

Mr. Speaker, the GNWT is not signing anything at the celebration, but there is a conditional contractual agreement. That is the term they use. It is being signed between the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation and the contractor at that ceremony. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.