Kevin O'Reilly

That's an interesting example. I thank the Minister for it. That water legislation has basically been in place since 1970, early 1970, so this is a very rare occurrence, indeed. I don't understand why the Minister did not write to the company after the first letter and say no further representations could be considered after the public hearing by the board. Some may view this as a breach of procedural fairness. Why did the Minister not tell the company that the proper avenue for questioning procedural fairness was to seek judicial review? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker, and mahsi to my colleagues. This is why NWT residents fought hard for land rights, co-management, and devolution. We have much higher expectations for our political leadership and will need to work very hard to restore public confidence. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have four documents I'd like to table. First is a news release that reads, "Northern Premiers confirm united stance against carbon price" that's dated July 21, 2016. The next item, Mr. Speaker, is a news story from the CJCD website, "MLAs surprised by reported talks to save Robertson Headframe."

Third item, Mr. Speaker, is another news story, "Feds stall Mackenzie Valley Highway" from News North dated September 26, 2016. The last item is taken from the CBC website, Mr. Speaker. It is "Yellowknife airport improvement fees could fund more parking, new terminal." Thank...

I'm wondering if the Minister of Finance, then, can tell me, can we still achieve our fiscal responsibility policy without $150 million reduction targets?

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I think what we're seeing here today with the fiscal update is the beginning of the great budget battle for 2017-2018. When I heard the fiscal update, I just want to ask the Minister of Finance, if I may, does he recognize that the $150 million reduction target was actually taken out of the mandate? I just want to know if he recognizes that and how that might play out into fiscal planning for the next budget?

I'm glad to hear there are some meetings going on. I'm worried about what's going to happen when those tourists start to cross the highway to go to the Visitors Centre. While we're on the subject of the Visitors Centre, there's still no signage for the Visitors Centre along the highway beyond the small sign near the intersection with 49th Street, and there's nothing here at the turnoff that comes into the Legislative Assembly. Can the Minister tell this House when new signage for the Visitors Centre will finally be installed?

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. There's been some serious construction all summer outside of this Assembly on the highway. Can the Minister of Transportation explain what is happening and when it will be completed? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I think everybody recognizes the importance of the fiscal responsibility policy, but I don't think I really got an answer to my question, so I might try again. Can we actually achieve or comply with that policy without cutting $150 million of programs and services? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

I guess this side of the House, I can't speak for everybody, but certainly I'm trying to still understand what this cutting programs and services today, what that money is going to be used for in the future. So can the Minister of Finance tell us exactly what the surplus is going to be used for, how it's going to be invested in the last two years of our mandate?

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. It sounds like a very complex problem that requires a lot more meetings perhaps, but I've got members of the public approaching me about unsafe conditions along the highway from Niven Lake to the downtown; there's no sidewalks or separation from vehicular traffic for pedestrians. Will the Minister commit to meet with interested parties, including Niven Lake residents, the owner of the nearby hotel, City of Yellowknife, and the Visitors Centre to develop and put in place a proper plan for this busy stretch of highway? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.