Kevin A. Menicoche

[English translation not provided.]

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My constituents throughout the Nahendeh riding have made it very clear to me through petitions, letters, phone calls and conversations that they do not support the proposed contracting-out of the operations of the Fort Simpson airport.

Today I want to go on record as being opposed to these proposed reductions. Contracting out services that were once provided by public service employees have longer-term impacts that go beyond this cost-cutting exercise.

There’s no guarantee that the Department of Transportation will realize any savings...

I’d like to recognize Mrs. Candace Brown, who’s actually been watching the proceedings all week. She’s a constituent from Fort Simpson. Welcome, and hope you had fun this week.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m sure glad the Minister picked a question out of that.

Laughter.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. In reference to my Member’s statement on Highway No. 1, I’d also like to indicate that the same type of emergency closures happened on Highway No. 7 and the Liard Highway as well. The same types of things happened there, as well: the travelling public was uninformed and unaware there were issues on the road. When they went there, in Highway No. 7’s case, because there weren’t enough warning signs, they actually got stuck in the highway because the highway deteriorated really bad there.

I’d just like to ask the Minister: exactly what is the communication...

I think we can go back and forth and dispute facts, but it’s more useful to me and my constituents that the Minister of Transportation be aware of this. I look forward to a better prepared communication strategy for the next event.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to talk about the Highway No. 1 emergency road closure on May 4 and 5, 2008. There were a couple of washouts that caused great inconvenience and distress to Nahendeh travellers. I do want to say that I do recognize the travelling public and safety of transportation infrastructure is key. But what happened in this instance is that information to the travelling public was very lacking. I don’t believe there was any strategy in place for this road closure, for this emergency.

Many constituents called my office repeatedly, stating that they had no answers. They had no knowledge...

One of the other questions I had is: where is the contact point when incidents do happen? Is there one single window where constituents can phone? And how current is the web site as well?

The point I’m coming from is: how do we mitigate these interruptions on our highway systems?

I’d like to recognize my constituent from Fort Simpson, also with the UNW here in Yellowknife, Ms. Candy Brown.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

Unanimous consent granted.