Kevin A. Menicoche

I believe it’s easier to put them in the speeches. It’s just two little words that I’ve been asking for for nine years. If it’s not a priority of this government, then those words do not end up in any of our documentation. I’d like to ask the Minister to fight for my people, my constituency and the highways that I represent. There has got to be some government documentation to make it a priority and to recognize to my people that it is a priority to have a safe transportation infrastructure.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Once again the lone voice will be crying out about Highway No. 7 here. I’d like to ask the Minister of Transportation some questions. I raised it in the House upon my re-election about making Highway No. 7 a priority within our government. He’s had time to meet with the federal Transportation Ministers and God knows how many Cabinet meetings. I’d like to know when it is going to become a priority of this government and when can I get those two words in a throne speech.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Today I was thrilled to be part of a small change in our government wherein the Commissioner delivered a throne speech, and this is symbolic because it sets the tone and direction of our government for the future years to come. However, I was dismayed that the address failed to mention two words important to me, my people and my constituency: Highway No. 7.

So it means to me that it is not a priority of this government and I see it as a failure to take care of my people and their needs. I have been trying very hard to get the attention of this government for...

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. How is this Minister keeping Highway No. 7 a priority with his deliberations with his Cabinet colleagues and the federal Ministers?

I certainly look forward to that business planning session and to see if indeed this government will provide resources for Highway No. 7. My point is that this government hasn’t identified it as a priority in the government and it is in none of their documentations. The Ministers just got a mandate letter from the Premier and Highway No. 7 doesn’t even appear in there. I’d like to ask the Minister how and when Highway No. 7 will become a priority for him and our government.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I also would like to recognize Chief Jim Antoine – welcome to the gallery – and my assistant, Ms. Pearl Norwegian, who is here for this week. Great to see them travelling.

I’d like to ask the Minister what strategy he is developing, in that previous administrations have created documents, such as Connecting Canada and other documents. I’d like to know what the Minister’s strategy is when he’s meeting with the federal government, because the development of our northern roads, particularly Highway No. 7, is critical to the economic development of my region and the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Last week I made great efforts to represent Fort Liard, the Nahendeh constituents, with Highway No. 7. I would like to continue and ask the Minister of Transportation about Highway No. 7 once again.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The small business sector is one of the most critical to the health of the economy, especially in the Nahendeh riding. Small businesses make great contributions to Nahendeh communities. Although the population is small, these communities are the scene of a surprising amount of activity.

The Liard River crossing is the second busiest river crossing in the Northwest Territories. The Nahanni National Park, with the NWT’s highest mountains and largest glaciers, attracts close to 1,000 visitors every year. The oil and gas and mineral development is becoming increasingly...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The intent of the motion is to be proactive. I am calling the government that we have to get down to Ottawa. We have to talk to the federal Ministers of Finance and Human Resources and Development to let them know that our government does not support their initiative at all. If we’re not heard, we will never be heard at all. It’s often been said that with Legislatures silence is assent. It means if we don’t say anything, we agree with it. So this motion is calling on our government to speak to our federal counterparts and let them know that our Northwest Territories...