Michael Nadli

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the majority of the NWT is made up of small communities -- 26 small communities and seven regional centres and two of them in the capital of Yellowknife. Earlier this month, a report on CBC North stated that 2016 population statistics show a decline in small communities compared to the 2011 census. Overall growth of the NWT population remains flat. [English translation not provided.]

Mr. Speaker, economic activities of small communities include traditional activities such as fishing, hunting and trapping, tourism, and seasonal jobs. Governments and First Nations...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. No further questions.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just wanted to get a sense in terms of the priorities scale. I understand there are other initiatives, including, as I stated, the Whati road that will be in progress here fairly soon. What priority scale would be the extension of the Mackenzie Valley Highway? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. No further questions.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have noticed recently in the community of Fort Providence that there have been some activities in terms of brushing, especially at the treetops. I understand, in that instance, it was done because of the priority of navigation equipment allowing the air traffic to safely land in the airport. What is the extend of the involvement in this department, and how were those decisions made to go ahead and create a project like that? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I, too, wanted to just note some concerns that I have, namely: it was stated by the Minister that NTCL, in terms of the acquisition of the assets, and it is not reflected in the main estimates; I am hoping to at least maybe get an indication from the Minister in terms of how that will be reflected in this budget and maybe look forward to the process that might follow.

Amalgamations, I understand. The exercise was to look at, in the face of government, ensuring that there are efficiencies. In communities, it is always their perception that this is a big government and we...

The Minister is in very good spirits today in terms of working together. We ask, on this side of the House, if the Minister could help us to work with the Department of ECE in terms of job creation. How is MACA working with other departments on initiatives to improve the opportunities for people living in our small communities such as education, job creation, and programs for youth? Would the Minister work with her colleague from ECE and ensure there is a clear focus in terms of a job creation initiative to save our small communities?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in the story of the outmigration of people from the small communities into large centres, it kind of reminded me of an old western movie that I used to watch, where there are abandoned buildings and there are tumbleweeds and there are dust bowls. My questions today is for the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. With that image in mind, what is the GNWT doing to help small communities survive as small towns and grow? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. My final question on this is: the Minister stated that the federal government has put the pause on the initiative of the Mackenzie Valley Highway; similarly, has his department put this project on pause, too? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I wanted to get a sense in terms of the Department of Transportation's plans for the Mackenzie Valley Highway. I wanted to ask the Minister: what is the status of the Mackenzie Valley Highway?

I understand with the winding down of the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway, and then there are other initiatives at play, too, namely just recently the announcement of the Whati road initiative, as well, but I just wanted to get at least an understanding of where is that road to the Mackenzie Valley? I think the last discussion was that there is maybe some consideration of extending the...