Michael McLeod

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, Mr. Speaker, we have spent a lot of time looking at the different ways we can have the service back in operation, and the time frames around it. Early next week, Monday or Tuesday, is probably the earliest we're going to be able to get the service back in operation, if we can get it back in operation. That's all I can commit to at this point, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to speak on the administration of the Student Financial Assistance program. Although I believe that the SFA in the NWT is one of, if not the best in Canada, there are still some problems with the administration of the program. Inuvik, Hay River, Norman Wells and Fort Smith are some of the larger regional centres in the NWT outside of Yellowknife, yet there are no offices in these communities that have decision-making authority. Everything has to go through an office in Yellowknife that is far removed from the regions.

Mr. Speaker, just...

Yes, I would, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Minister. If the chipsealing is going to be a problem, we will settle for dust control. This was a terrible summer on the highway. All the way, there was absolutely no dust control, maybe 12 kilometres. So will the Minister commit to having his department do dust control on the whole 262 kilometres next summer? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thanks to the Minister for the update. Earlier this summer, I invited the Minister to go on a tour of the highway with me so he could see the condition of the highway first hand. We will get that tour done, hopefully, next summer. Will the Minister and his department look at chipsealing part of the highway as part of the master plan? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I spoke today on the condition of the Dempster Highway, and I have a few questions for the Minister of Transportation. With all this traffic that’s going to be going on the highway when the pipeline goes through, is there a master plan to upgrade the highway, widen it, just so it’s a lot safer for the trucks and the people who are travelling on it? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I have been hearing many complaints from people about the highway, and having the opportunity to travel that highway since 1984, this is the worst that I have ever seen it. It is worse than a goat trail. Many experienced drivers have told me that they travel this highway all the time. This is the worst they have ever seen it, because of the condition.

There have been a few accidents on the highway because of the condition of the road. I read with some interest the article that was in the paper regarding 12 kilometres left to pave on Highway No. 3. We would like to have 12 kilometres of...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today is National Students Against Impaired Driving Day.

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In over 600 high schools across Canada, including the NWT, students are actively engaged in spreading a message that calls for a healthy and responsible outlook towards this serious social issue. Regrettably, impaired driving continues to be a serious and chronic problem in the Northwest Territories and in other parts of Canada. Despite years of intensive public education, more severe penalties and increased law enforcement, the offence of impaired driving remains the most common crime in...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, this legislation was in place historically. When we redrafted the municipal legislation that was adopted in the 14th Assembly, somehow it was omitted; this change was not included. This has been there for some time. Since the 70s, most of the municipal taxation authorities have had this option of transferring unpaid charges to property taxes. We have not, as a department, received any complaints about this whole exercise of being able to transfer property taxes.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have with me Ms. Debbie DeLancey, deputy minister of Municipal and Community Affairs; Sheila Bassi-Kellet, director of corporate affairs for Municipal and Community Affairs; and Mara Heder, our legal counsel.