Tom Beaulieu

The Department of Public Works takes safety seriously. We are working with industry to ensure that when individuals are on site that not only the main contractor has followed all the NWT Safety Regulations under the NWT Safety Act and that all the subs that go on site also follow that. We have several items, anywhere from clothing to regulations with WHMIS need to be taken by employees. I’m not sure I’m following what self-registration is. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. We agreed to that, that we would look at the greenhouse gas emissions outlook for natural gas. We would look at all of the alternative energy systems, including biomass as well.

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to recognize a good friend of mine. He’s a true Tu Nedhe resident, Tony Buggins. Tony was born in Reliance and was raised in Fort Resolution. Tony is a long-term Chipewyan radio broadcaster, musician and interpreter/translator. So, I’d like to welcome Tony to the House today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

That would be a big part of the mandate of the energy division within Public Works and Services.

Thank you, Madam Chair. The department would have no problem with meeting with Diavik on their programs or energy-efficient programs. The decision on what type of stipulations that we put on industry in as far as energy conservation will be a government decision, not Public Works and Services’ decision. Thank you.

In addition to biomass still being feasible, we know that it contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gases. Also, in future, there’s a possibility that there may be an increase in the cost of the heating fuel. I know that the Member speaks about the traditional economy and that they need to have lower gas prices to pursue their hunting and trapping and so on.

So, our intent is this Friday in Colville Lake we will lower the cost of gasoline by 24 cents a litre. Also, in Fort Simpson right now, the Power Corp is installing solar panels at the NTPC generator, so they’re going to be looking at...

Yes, currently that is where we are buying the fuel that is going into the Sahtu.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We are currently working on the second bundle, which includes some work that wasn’t on our highways but is some access road money. So that second bundle is something that we are currently putting together. We’re trying to put the bundles together that are just under $100 million. Of course, there will be a third bundle, as well, which is going to be mostly bridges, then there will be a fourth bundle, which is the completion of this current bundle, the first bundle.

Thank you, Madam Chair. To my immediate right is the deputy Minister of Public Works and Services, Paul Guy. To my immediate left is director of corporate services, Steve Lewis, and to my far right, director, Technology Service Centre, Laurie Gault.

That item is, again, up for renewal and we are working with the community. My understanding is that there is going to be a new building and we have agreed that we would be moving into the new building.