Deh Cho

Statements in Debates

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 41)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I too would like to recognize Erin Porter from Enterprise, who is also a director from the South Slave for the Mackenzie Recreation Association. As well, I would like to recognize Lyla Pierre of Sambaa Ke and also just to congratulate the Mackenzie Recreation Association for their 25th year anniversary. Welcome and mahsi. Thank you.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 41)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. My question was: the Minister makes reference, very confidently, to transportation through the trucking industry in terms of bringing fuel to Hay River, by railroad as well, and also, he seems to suggest that there has been some analysis, and whether there has been some studies in terms of cost comparisons as to an existing base in Hay River, as opposed to, perhaps, an option like Inuvik or Tuktoyaktuk as a base of operations for MTS. Would he share those studies and findings or analysis with the committee? Mahsi.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 41)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, it is very concerning in terms of what is happening way up north. We, in the southern Northwest Territories, you know, have the highways to transport our goods and services to our communities, but unfortunately, people that live way up north, a lot of their goods and services have to be brought in by barges, or sometimes, in this extreme example, flown in because they don't have any other choice. I really sympathize with my colleague, who spoke in terms of ensuring that, you know, people from those communities got some answers.

My question is very basic, and...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 40)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, these are the typical replies and answers that I have received from the Minister of Infrastructure. He's basically deflecting any kind of answers in the hope that he could give to people from the K'atlodeeche Reserve. I've referenced the capital estimates. There's no specific reference to K'atlodeeche Reserve access road. Does the Minister of Infrastructure care about the Dene and the reserve? Mahsi.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 40)

I, myself, recently made a trip to the Hay River Reserve, and I have noticed, and I think everybody noticed that the ditches, parts of the road have been dug up, and piles have been on the side of the road for some time. In response to my questions from March 12th, the Minister committed to sending engineers to the road this past spring to do an assessment. Has this assessment been done, and what were the outcomes?

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 40)

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the K'atlodeeche Reserve Access Road starts at the junction of Highway No. 5, just by the bridge over the Hay River, running along the east side of the river into the Hay River Reserve. As our only access point to the community when the Hay River is flowing in the summer months, our people rely heavily on the road. The road is our lifeline for seven months and is the only access from the community into the town of Hay River and the rest of the highway system. Mr. Speaker, [English translation not provided.]

As early as March 12th of this year, I made a statement...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 40)

I'm very optimistic, but I'd like to see at least some action play out maybe by this spring. I'll ask the questions that most Members have on their mind: when will the Department of Infrastructure repair the access road onto the reserve?

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 40)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, every day the Minister gets up, has his coffee, and looks across the river. Has the Minister of Infrastructure ever driven the access road to the Hay River reserve? If not, I invite him to do so, so that he can see for himself what my constituents have to endure on a daily basis. Mahsi.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 39)

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. [English translation not provided.] Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 37)

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in small northern communities, having each other is all we have, and helping each other in a time of need is essential. Mr. Speaker, [English translation not provided.] Case in point: at the beginning of the month, there was a family in Fort Providence who were at their fall fish camp, and they attempted to walk back to the community. After two days of walking and three quarters of the way into town, an elderly couple had to be rescued as nighttime temperatures dipped to minus seven.

Mr. Speaker, elders Antoine Canadien and Celine Lesage are both active...