Robert Bouchard

Thank you. Back in December I asked some similar questions about dredging in Hay River and the federal government’s responsibility. The Minister indicated that he was going to begin negotiations and discussions with the federal government on this project. Can the Minister give me an update on has he had any meetings on this issue with the federal government?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In follow-up to my Member’s statement about dredging, we are concerned about the sediment buildup in the Hay River area.

My first question to the Minister of Transportation is: Does the territorial government and the Department of Transportation have any dredging programs planned for the Hay River area this year?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Spring is now over. The ice is gone from our rivers and now we’re starting to see more activity around the Hay River industry around the water.

Hay River is a natural transportation hub. It is the starting point for barges and tugs that go down the Mackenzie and supply goods throughout the Northwest Territories. The harbour is important to the commercial vessels, commercial fishing and recreation users. As well, we have a Coast Guard based there.

The federal government once dredged the harbour clear of silt that comes down the Hay River. In 1994 the federal government...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Department of Transportation is one of the larger budgets and one of the most interesting, and one of the ones that I probably get the most calls about.

One of the first issues I want to bring up with the department in the processes that they have, I know the department has reviewed and tried to deliberate on how to implement their contracts, their tenders and their projects. I’ve been getting a lot of complaints on the fact that a lot of the projects are getting overwhelmingly large and being bundled together. Whether it’s the culvert projects or whether it’s signage...

Mr. Speaker, yes, I would like that information. I would like to know what the department is doing to encourage purchasing through the different departments and facilities.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my Member’s statement I indicated my concern with the future of the commercial fishing industry in Hay River. My question today will be for the Minister of ITI. What is the department doing to innovate and to assist commercial industry in the Northwest Territories?

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Some of my colleagues have indicated that they’re in turmoil with this decision or this motion. I’m at the same point. I understand that we have a lot of issues with the current education system and some of the graduation levels. However, I’m not certain that with the changing of this motion would alleviate all those problems. I think we need to look at what the impacts of this would do. The department’s indicated that they wish to continue to use it, and before we make a rash change, I think we should assess what the values are. I would be agreeable to discussing this...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My next question is concerning one of the issues that face the commercial fishermen right now and that’s the high cost of fuel. One of the things that they pay is they pay the full taxes on the road tax. I know the department has looked in the past at this and they recently reviewed this policy. Is there somehow they can support the commercial fishing industry, because the gas is not used on a road system?

My next question is concerning the government facilities. Does the Minister have information on how much fish is bought in the Northwest Territories through our government facilities such as correctional facilities and schools and stuff like that?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to begin my Member’s statement today giving best wishes to the NWT Fishermen’s Federation who are hosting their annual general meeting today, and apologies that I cannot be there for them. However, I would like to discuss the fishing industry in my Member’s statement today.

The NWT Fishermen’s Federation has been a vital part of the Hay River industry and a traditional economy in the Hay River area. I am concerned with the future of the industry. Some of the issues that are faced by the industry right now are the high costs of gasoline, training and getting...