Kevin A. Menicoche

Madam Chair, I move that this committee resume consideration of the activity petroleum resources under the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment Main Estimates 2012-2013 on page 12-17. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. The committee wishes to consider Tabled Document 3-17(3), NWT Main Estimates 2012-13, to continue deliberation of Health and Social Services, then on to Executive, Aboriginal Affairs, Finance and the Legislative Assembly.

Mr. Speaker, I guess I’m trying to get at the point that in the past there were unforeseen and incomplete things being done. Can the Minister assure us that all aspects of bridge construction have been considered and that this side of the House and the general public have no reason to expect further delays or further cash output from our government and hence the taxpayers of the Northwest Territories? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My residents are concerned about the construction of the Deh Cho Bridge as well. I would like to ask the Minister of Transportation some questions. I think the concern is that it was really no great surprise that the cost continues to rise and they continue to come to this House for expenditures. Can the Minister assure this House that once this final deal is done, the bleeding will stop, so to speak?

Madam Chair, I move that we report progress.

---Carried

Madam Chair, I move that this committee resume consideration of the activity environment under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Main Estimates 2012-2013 on page 13-17. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. I’d just like to say, from this side of the House, I concur that we did work hard to impact our budget for the benefit of our constituents in the whole of the Territories, and I look forward to implementing the budget as we go forward with that, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. All things being considered, I know that last year we had shipping delays, production delays. Is there any of that on the table? What does this House have to expect, or have all things been considered? Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I can appreciate some of the past issues that the Auditor General’s report spoke of incomplete designs, et cetera. Is the Minister confident in telling this House that all considerations and risk factors have been taken into account to date and that they can achieve this November 2012 opening, especially with this new deal that he is talking about with the contractor? Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. While there are many important looming issues in the North, I’d like to speak about the community of Fort Liard. They are having a graduation today. They are celebrating the achievements of four students who are graduating from the Echo-Dene School there: Ms. Camille Bertrand, Ms. Monica Berreault, Ms. Ivy-Lynn Marcellais, and I am especially pleased to acknowledge my nephew Mr. Trye Timbre, who is among those finishing high school this year.

---Applause

Thank you, colleagues. He’s a lucky man to be able to take not one but three young ladies to his grad.

Congra...