Michael Miltenberger

When the Giant Mine Remediation Project was initiated, the GNWT’s share that we put on for a lot of the surface work, $23 million back in 2004-05, and as the remediation project proceeded, the issue of the road became relevant and to the fore. So what was a decision that was made, that $23 million was in O and M. So it was agreed that we would reprofile and reclassify $17 million of that $23 million to cover the cost of this road that’s being put in around Giant Mine. So it’s not detracting from other capital projects, it’s not being taken from a pot that was dedicated for other areas or other...

Yes, Madam Chair.

Madam Chair, we have tried to indicate that that number was already there in initial appropriation and is now being expended and it is now being accounted for at this juncture with this carry-over request. Now it is time to use that. It is not going to be added to the project cost. It is already part of the project cost.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document, entitled Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 2, 2013-2014.

We will do that, Madam Chair. Thank you.

As with the other concerns that have been raised, I will be reviewing the concerns with the deputy and the officials involved in monitoring this project and involved to ensure that the safety considerations are addressed. We will go over the concerns raised by the Member, and if it requires getting in touch with our partners and revising whatever communication and emergency response plan is there, then yes, we will take the necessary steps should they be required.

The Member is correct, and I apologize for not speaking to that point. It is a pilot to see if, in fact, the equipment performs to expectations. There are other places like Yellowknife and potentially Inuvik, but for sure Yellowknife that has a large volume as well. It is a pilot in Hay River. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. The design work is scheduled to be completed this fall, 2013.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have folks monitoring the work of the Assembly, the questions being asked, and yes, we will follow up forthwith on this urgent issue. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In regard to what happens with affected employees in this case, and as a matter of course I’d ask the Minister of HR to just touch on some of the considerations that are given and efforts that are made to accommodate the affected employees in any particular circumstance, in this case the BIP.