Wally Schumann

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With the economy, environment and climate change among the priorities identified by the 18th Legislative Assembly, the Government of Northwest Territories is pleased to highlight the Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highway construction project as a leading example of economic diversification and environmental stewardship. Since the third construction season began in early January, already more than 300 individuals are back at work on the project. Over 70 per cent of the contractors' 24-hour workforce is comprised of residents of the Beaufort-Delta region and other NWT communities...

The Community Access Program is not included in the appropriation funds for the first part of this fiscal year because there's no eligible expenses for applicants for work in this period of time. We'll have to talk about it in business planning.

If the Financial Management Board approves bundle two, then the officials at the Department of Transportation will seek federal approval on bundle two from Infrastructure Canada. As far as the bridges go, they are also in bundle two's application, so the Member can be reassured that that is in there. We would then be in a position to return to the House for the May/June session to seek approval from the Legislative Assembly for the funding of bundle two.

Both the federal government and the territorial government have recently gone through an election, which slowed down the process for approvals on this. Now the new governments are in place and bundle two is underway. I have recently met with Minister Sohi in Ottawa, and the new federal government has indicated they're all ready to approve the projects and get them out the door as quickly as possible.

We have to submit the appropriations to the business plan for the upcoming fiscal year, and we're going to have those timely discussions through business planning.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Department of Transportation has advised the Hamlet of Aklavik that the bridge project has exceeded the funding capacity of the Community Access Program. It has been recommended that the Hamlet of Aklavik look into other alternatives of funding for this project. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Bundle two will be considered by the Financial Management Board very soon.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The department is currently seeking approvals required for bundle two. The current plan is to ask for supplemental funding for bundle two in the May/June session so work can proceed this summer. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The opportunities, if they're there, through the Federal Build Infrastructure Fund and in conversations with the Government of Nunavut we would certainly have a look there.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to recognize my beautiful wife Lori Schumann here today for coming down for the Second Session and everyone else in the gallery.