Julie Green

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the NWT Housing Corporation won't build additional housing without additional operations and maintenance money. Has the Department of Infrastructure considered this approach? What is the point of pouring money into new roads like the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway and the Whati road where there obviously isn't enough money for maintenance? Mahsi.

Let's call it an infrastructure deficit. The question is still: what are you going to do about it?

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize my constituent Nalini Naidoo. It is through the generosity of the Naidoo family, the MS Naidoo Foundation that helps to support the Northern Youth Abroad program.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I appreciate the Minister's willingness to take it back to his department. I think that we know that climate change is real in the North. This is an example of how real it is, and I think it would be informative for motorists to know that this is what climate change looks like.

My last area is about operations and maintenance money for the new roads, the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk highway and the Whati road. Are those costs factored into the road? We are saying we need $67 million for the road to Whati. Does that include maintenance money, or is there a segment of the budget...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I understand what the Minister is saying. I want to move on to managing expectations. That seems to be one of the major issues with this road. There is no write-up about it in Spectacular NWT. There is nothing that prepares the driver for the condition of this road until they are driving this road. Is there something more the Minister can do to communicate the condition of the road to the people who are using it who are coming to the road for the first time? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I do not know what evidence the Minister has, and I am interested in knowing that money will not make a difference to this road. That is not the information that I have. What evidence does he have that money will not make a difference? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. This section of highway has 40 per cent of the traffic. Is it getting 40 per cent of the rebuilding money? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Could the Minister tell us the total dollar value that is anticipated for repairs to Highway No. 3 in this capital plan? Thank you.

I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik-Twin Lakes, that notwithstanding rule 4, when this House adjourns on September 28, 2017, it shall be adjourned until Tuesday, October 3, 2017;

AND FURTHER that at any time prior to October 3, 2017, if the Speaker is satisfied after consultation with the executive council and Members of the Legislative Assembly, that the public interests require that the House should meet at an earlier time during the adjournment, the Speaker may give notice and thereupon the House shall meet at the time stated in such notice and shall transact the business as...

Mr. Speaker, $18 million sounds like a lot of money, but in the context of the department's whole budget, it isn't. The fact is that the department is committed to providing a safe operating surface, and that's not what we have. Can the Minister give us an estimate of what it would actually cost to provide a safe operating surface from Yellowknife to Behchoko?