Kevin A. Menicoche

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Earlier today I spoke about the benefits to the residents of Nahendeh by having an improved Highway No. 7 this year. Now, that’s what I’ve been talking about for years. Once we improve our Highway No. 7, we will improve the economy, we’ll improve tourism and we’ll improve and lower costs of living.

I would like to ask the Minister of Transportation, we’ve got a budget sitting coming up in February/March, can he make a business case through his Department of Transportation to allocate extra resources to Highway No. 7 in the upcoming budget?

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The committee wishes to consider Bill 2, Miscellaneous Statute Law Amendment Act, 2012, as well as Bill 8, An Act to Amend the Securities Act.

When the idea was first brought up in the aftermath of the flood, initial reaction from government officials was that it’s going to cost millions to relocate a community. It’s also costing millions to repair the community and we don’t want to keep doing that. It has to be considered seriously.

I’d like to ask the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs if, with the community’s support, he is willing to dedicate resources in the 2013-2014 budget to address the needs of this community for planning such a move?

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Earlier today I pointed out the need for a long-term plan to mitigate the impact of flooding in the community of Nahanni Butte in view of the risks. My question is for the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. Will the Minister commit to developing a long-term plan for the community of Nahanni Butte that addresses future flooding?

Thank you, Madam Chair. I move that we report progress.

---Carried

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. It will take financial resources to do planning studies for planning a whole new town, et cetera. I just wanted to ask the Minister, if the community is willing, if the Minister will be prepared to put some small resources to beginning such a planning study. A planning for planning study, as it were. If the community asks for it, will the Minister do it during his visit to Nahanni Butte?

I think I spoke with the Minister in the House last week about coming to the community of Nahanni Butte, and while we’re there we will be discussing the option of relocating the community to the east side of the Liard River. If there’s enough community support, will the Minister and his department seriously consider that option?

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. The people of Nahanni Butte have been trying to get back to normal after last spring’s flood and community evacuation. There are still many needs to be met and I again call on the community members to be patient.

However, as I mentioned last week, we also need a long-term plan for Nahanni Butte, which may include relocating the community out of the current flood plain it sits in.

The flood level on the Liard River in June was at a 50-year high. Elders have never seen or experienced such high waters as during the time of that flood. We also hope and pray that...

Thank you, Madam Chair. I move that consideration of Tabled Document 64-17(3), Northwest Territories Capital Estimates 2013-2014, be now concluded and that Tabled Document 64-17(3) be reported and recommended as ready for further consideration in formal session through the form of an appropriation bill. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to hear that the Minister is being flexible about the small and remote communities where an idea such as transitional housing can work. That idea did come from the chief of the Jean Marie River First Nation.

At this time I’d like to invite the Minister to accompany us during our Nahendeh tour to the community of Jean Marie, and we can discuss this idea, and see if we can make it work, and if we can pick that community as a pilot project, so to speak. Thank you.