Michael McLeod

Mr. Chair, yes, the Member’s correct. The process that has been put forward for the bridge project, as requirements from Finance, is to incorporate the expenses into the mains for this year and as we move forward with actual on revenue, we will come forward in the form of a supp. In the following years, it will be recorded on this page.

Mr. Chairman, I apologize. I was trying to get clarity on what the question was. Mr. Chairman, we are following the template that has been set out by Finance. In this budget line there are a number of expenses that are included in here. They include the PWS mail, SAM, contract registry chargebacks and Deh Cho Bridge interest expense.

With me on my right I have Mr. Russell Neudorf, the deputy minister of Transportation. On my left I have Mr. Daniel Auger, the assistant deputy minister of Transportation.

Mr. Chairman, I think for mobile equipment to go into Paulatuk, we would need more than just an MLA’s invitation. We probably would require the community to work with us to at least ensure that we have more than one or two people to deal with. As to having permanent units in the community, that is something that we had tried on a number of occasions to put out to contract. We need to have staff, of course, that are trained. If there is a recommendation or consideration, we would certainly be open to discussing how we can provide the service in the communities. We are finding in a lot of the...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I will certainly accept a pat on the back. I have to agree, there has been a real decline in the number of concerns that have come forward. The waiting room is a little more accommodating and things seem to be going a lot smoother and people are moving through the system a lot faster. Thank you.

Agreed, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Chairman, the dredging issue really doesn’t fall under our mandate as the department. However, having said that, we have concerns in this area as it has impacts to many areas of different sectors of the North. We have the marine traffic and the fishermen that are voicing concern. There’s also the issue with the municipality on some concerns that the island that’s being created in the middle of the river is causing or is certainly not helping with the flooding issues that are happening on the Hay River and to the municipality of Hay River and also to the Hay River Reserve.

We have engaged...

I apologize for missing the question. I wasn’t clear on that area of questioning. Mr. Chairman, we have undertaken to access some dollars from the federal government through the P3 Canada Program to do an assessment and a study of a portion of the winter road for consideration for realignment. That process is already underway and we are in the position where we’ve put out an RFP to do a study on this section of road.

Yes, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Chairman, with me today on my right I have Mr. Russell Neudorf, deputy minister of Transportation. On my left I have Mr. Daniel Auger, the assistant deputy minister of Transportation.