Wally Schumann

As I've already stated, we already hired two casual maintenance supervisors from the region to monitor the winter road activities. What I could convey to the Member is I would have to look into whose vehicles we're using. We're already employing two people to do that, and I will get back to the Member on where we're getting the vehicles from.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would have to check into this MOU right off the bat, but DOT presently hires two casuals for highway maintenance supervision out of the Sahtu Region for the winter road system.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to recognize my wife, Lori Schumann, and I too would also like to recognize Tracy St. Denis for all the work with the United Way. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, as investment and residency in the NWT grow we will be able to expand and diversify our economy outside of its resource sector in areas like tourism, agriculture, fishing, manufacturing and the traditional economies. While the GNWT is working to create investor confidence in the Northwest Territories, we are always investing to diversify our economy and to grow our communities. This work is being guided by the NWT Economic Opportunity Strategy which we published two years ago. The strategy emphasizes increased support for entrepreneurs and opens the doors to new partnerships and...

I can table a map on the various routes that were proposed for this. As far as the caribou habitat, that would have to be something that would be considered to the Minster of ENR.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The short answer is no, I do not believe there's a business case developed for this quarter yet.

It's my understanding that the threshold in most of these agreements is such a high level that in won't affect a business' policy or the manufacturer's policies.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The federal government is involved in a number of bilateral and multi-lateral trade agreements, and with that being said, they involve the Northwest Territories, they communicate with us in the provinces, and we have representatives, ITI has representatives, at the table with the federal government to engage on these processes and we will continue to do so. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories has made a commitment in its mandate to capture opportunities for investment in transportation infrastructure by working to secure funding to advance the Mackenzie Valley Highway, make an all-weather road from Highway No. 3 to Whati, and improve access into the Slave Geological Province. Today I would like to provide an update on the progress made by the department on these projects where work continues to steadily advance.

The Department of Transportation believes we have a significant opportunity to move these projects ahead by securing...

The Department of Transportation works with all the key stakeholders on any proposed roading or highway in the Northwest Territories, and I can commit to the Member we will be working closely with ENR in any such a proposal and any other department that this takes into account including Industry, Tourism and Investment.