Norman Yakeleya

Mr. Speaker, since the 1980s the Territorial government has assumed responsibility for the highways. It’s always been our point and the point of this government that the responsibility for new highway infrastructure is the federal government’s responsibility, and this government is working very closely with the federal government in terms of seeking out new infrastructure in the Northwest Territories. I’m going to continue to lead that with the federal government. However, we are working on possible partnerships in terms of infrastructure that would benefit all people of the Northwest...

Mr. Speaker, I want to let the Member know it will be available within a couple of months. I will communicate more with my colleague Minister Bob McLeod. I will get back to the Member in terms of the exact decision regarding the date.

The Department of Transportation is working very closely with the Department of ITI, under the direction and leadership of Minister Bob McLeod, in putting this study together in terms of the Yellowknife Airport runway extension.

We are working with other stakeholders, such as the city, air carriers, Transport Canada in terms of seeing the benefits. And of course, I would be happy to sit down with Members once we have this study before us and have some discussion.

The Member may well be aware that I've tabled a document on runway licence studies. Certainly, there are comments in there about the...

Mr. Speaker, my understanding is the $50 million request to the federal government was put in during the 15th Legislative Assembly.

Mr. Speaker, I want to let the people know that the cost is all in one price, in terms of what we have indicated over a number of days in the House, in terms of the cost of building the Deh Cho Bridge.

Mr. Speaker, as I stated earlier, I’ll have to look at this and go back to my department to see what other departments were involved, where the work was done, and get back to the Member. I would be happy to sit down with the Member and go through with a fine-toothed comb in terms of the numbers.

The G.N.W.T. is providing certainty to the lenders. This means that we stand behind the Deh Cho Bridge in terms of ensuring that this bridge is built. The Deh Cho Bridge Corporation’s rate of return is based on delivering the project as designed, on schedule and on budget.

With the cooperation of the community of Fort Providence…. And of course it’s been our own analysis that the decision to proceed had strong benefits to the government and the people of the Northwest Territories. It was a decision that was made and that the 16th Assembly wants to continue, because we see that the benefits of proceeding with this bridge far outweigh the costs in terms of putting the bridge in. This is a good benefit for the people of the Northwest Territories. We’re going to get a good deal after 35 years on this project.

Mr. Speaker, on November 30, 2007, I announced the launch of the Department of Transportation’s safety awareness program, Drive Alive! This new program is intended to enhance ongoing safety awareness efforts to significantly reduce the number of collisions, injuries and fatalities on our roads, trails and waterways.

Mr. Speaker, safety is our top priority. We are deeply saddened when we hear of tragic accidents, especially those involving our youth. Accidents must be prevented. When a snowmobile, vehicle or boating accident injures or takes the life of one of our young people, it is devastating...

Mr. Speaker, industry today has shown that once you start hauling freight and fuel over to this side, it costs us more money to store it. It costs us more money to have the freight stored at the different locations of the retailers in Yellowknife and also in Behchoko.

Mr. Speaker, the government put more money into tolls in terms of bringing the costs down. There is evidence that the cost of living will be going down once we have this bridge built.