Wally Schumann
Statements in Debates
Debates of
, 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 50)
Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories Energy Strategy will support the transition to a lower carbon economy in the NWT in the transportation, heating, electricity, and industrial sectors by supporting efficiency as well as renewable and alternative energy solutions.
Hearing from NWT residents is an important part of developing our strategy, and we started hosting a series of regional public engagement sessions to inform both the Energy Strategy and the Climate Change Strategic Framework in November. We have already been to Inuvik, Norman Wells, Yellowknife, and Fort Smith, and will go to Fort...
Debates of
, 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 49)
We are still working on those sorts of things. There are all kinds of input from these themes going around to the communities from how we are going to support more biomass for communities, portability of energy moving forward, how do we implement some of these things going forward. Also, we have to look at what kind of federal investment we are going to get moving forward, and we are looking forward to the budget coming forward with the liberal government. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Debates of
, 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 49)
The consultation that is going on presently, we have two communities to finish up. We have Hay River and Fort Simpson, I believe, and then we are also probably going to try to meet with Behchoko and the Tlicho government. Once this stuff is all pulled together, we will put a report together and probably release it later on this year.
Debates of
, 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 49)
As the Minister of Public Works and of Transportation, I have to look out for the good of all Northerners, not just Hay River. So much for the perks. The town of Hay River is working closely with CN Rail to obtain a safe crossing at the railway crossing, as well. Plus, the Town of Hay River has also had in their minutes that they are looking after their sidewalk along that side of the highway to get to this particular crosswalk. We will continue to work with all stakeholders, them, the health authority, the RCMP -- the NTCL, no -- the community, on how we're going to proceed with this and get...
Debates of
, 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 49)
Moving forward, we anticipate to have this resolved, hopefully with either another tender or else negotiating how we are going to fit this in within our budget restraints of what we have allocated for this project. When we do move forward, we are going to have to wait for the ground to thaw out to be able to install this set of lights at the crossing.
Debates of
, 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 49)
Mr. Speaker, residents of the NWT have told us they want to advance food production in their regions and communities. With the support of federal government and the Government of the Northwest Territories funding, community-based gardens, greenhouses, farmer’s markets, and other food-related businesses and associations are flourishing across the NWT.
Access to locally grown, locally sourced foods continues to increase for residents of the NWT. Small-scale entrepreneurial opportunities are becoming available through markets, festivals, and conferences.
While a few commercial food production...
Debates of
, 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 49)
As I said, we'll have to look into the Highway Traffic Act and, whatever signage is required to have with a lighting system that crosses the public highway, we will install it.
Debates of
, 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 49)
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If I remember correctly, I said earlier today that I would look at putting some kind of lighting up there. So I will look into and get back to the Member. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Debates of
, 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 49)
Like anything, we would have to look at the costs of this, and we would have to probably engage with the federal government, what they could contribute toward this program. As I have said, Aboriginal governments in other jurisdictions across the country are looking at how they can possibly implement this. I believe the Member from Tu NedheWiilideh has brought this up before. It is a program that has been used in Australia, if I remember. We would have to follow up with what I have mentioned.
Debates of
, 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 49)
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the Minister of ITI, I am aware of it only because I used to be the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources.
Laughter
I can't speak on behalf of the Minister of ENR, but I know the department is probably supportive of this program. Well, there is a new Minister. I would probably ask the Member that he is going to have to direct his questions to ENR on this program. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.