Kevin A. Menicoche

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. As I mentioned earlier, we are working with NWT Tourism to look at launching the plates. I can't really give an exact date. There are other issues involved here, too. We do have a large stock of the old plates that we wish to…That is a consideration. But we continue to work with the affected groups, and we're very supportive of it and would like to launch a new plate as well. Mahsi.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Indeed, my honourable friend, MLA from Yellowknife Centre, did enquire about changing the slogan on the licence plates. Working with the NWT Tourism, they do have a new branding strategy and they are recommending the term "spectacular." Our existing slogan, "Explore Canada's Arctic," we have been using that for some time. It was at that time as well, Mr. Speaker, it was recommended at that time, too, by the NWT Tourism Association and again they're recommending a change and that's something that we're prepared to look at. Mahsi.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Certainly, the Department of Transportation, working with our Department of ENR, will be monitoring the developments of the environmental impact statement that will be filed, and certainly take part to ensure the GNWT interests are considered at that point. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. It is my understanding that a great deal of market research has gone into the selection of a new slogan "spectacular" by the NWT Tourism Association, and we continue to express our support in changing the slogan to reflect the NWT Tourism new branding strategy. Right now, we're currently working with the Tourism Association in investigating the cost and timing of the launch of this new plate, Mr. Speaker. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Certainly, we are working with the joint venture group, who are the proponents, actually the ones that are considering both routes, and working along with them. Certainly the road mining transportation alternative study that they had released in April 2007 does recommend the best short-term solution is the one that runs the southern portion of the ice road, which is the southern part. Mahsi.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. The Member is right; there are two important initiatives largely driven by the private sector. As a government, we're interested, of course, in their development. The Bathurst Inlet port is largely driven by the government and supported by the Government of Nunavut. Kitikmeot Corporation and Nuna Logistics are proposing that and they expect to file a draft environmental impact statement later on this fall. As well in the news, the joint venture is looking at upgrading their roads to the mines. I think there's another 100 kilometres they want to get a...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In fact, I did commit to the Member that I would certainly be glad to take a ride with him on the Dempster at the posted speed limit, of course.

---Laughter

I am certainly interested in the highway that we are spending lots of resources on. I do want to see for myself, Mr. Speaker. So I will be happy to commit to that. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Certainly, part of our plan is to support all outlying communities that do not have access to the issuing agents and driver’s examiners. We are undertaking studies of a portable system which a driver examiner can bring into these smaller remote communities, as well as setting up a detailed or a consistent schedule to visit the communities will be part of the solution. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The short answer is no for the honourable Member, Mr. Speaker. But I can commit to follow up with the community to see if we can alleviate those concerns about the best way to issue driver’s licences and getting driver’s tests done in that community. One of the ways of doing it, of course, is to set up a schedule to go into the community as long as everybody is aware when the driver examiner is coming. I know that some licences expire, but there is a grace period. But with enough planning, we should be able to address some of those concerns, Mr. Speaker. Thank you...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Having a submission prepared for 2008-09 business plans hinges on the study that we are about to conduct here. I am not too sure how much work has been done in 2008-09 or the timing that we want this road completed. As well, with the expectation of new roads, we expect federal contribution involvement, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.