Wally Schumann

Hay River South

Statements in Debates

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 57)

Yes, I did say that it has resulted in a 30 percent increase. We are working to improve it even more. Even though I say it's not our system, we are working with the CATSA Plus people to make improvements out there. The security staff right now is actually doing the monitoring and tracking of wait times, but we are moving to put in an automated system out at the airport for both security queue times and also we're going to be looking at the luggage wait times. So that's an improvement through the revolving fund that we're also going to be able to track these things and have better data for all...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 57)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, I can certainly tell you about all the improvements we've done out there with the revolving fund, probably one of the best things this Assembly has done to help improve tourism, particularly in Yellowknife. We spent a lot of money out there improving the system. The Member has raised the question around the CATSA Plus system, and let's make it quite clear in this House, I am not in charge of CATSA Plus. That's a federal initiative. That's their responsibility, but we are working very closely with them to improve the visitors' and the travelling public's experience...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 57)

We are the owners of this property right now, and, if we want to continue on activities of this site, we have to renew this permit. We don't know how long this process is going to take place. We have engaged with the federal government. We have agreed to look at selling these two pieces of property together to get the best potential from both sites by doing them at once. We will continue to work towards that, and we think that this is in the best interest of the residents of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 57)

Mr. Speaker, as I've said, this renewal is required by our government to maintain the site. We have to have access to our claims and our leases for any type of activity there. The permit includes approvals for more than just exploration. It covers monitoring activities, remediation, ongoing clean-up, like the work that we did last year at site, and the value is needed for us to keep this permit in place.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 57)

Mr. Speaker, that would be a lead story, but the Member is mischaracterizing what is going on here. The Government of Northwest Territories is required to renew the mining land use permit on the Yukon site of this property in order to keep the property in good standing. If we don't renew the permit, it is likely that a full site remediation would be ordered and all the potential benefits would be lost. In addition, the potential purchaser requires the ability to conduct exploration work as part of its due-diligence process. This is how a buyer confirms a mineral resource, and it is also a...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 56)

Yes, the Department of Infrastructure follows the guidelines for safe ice construction that was developed with expertise from within and outside of the Government of the Northwest Territories. Other jurisdictions actually use our guidelines, and so does private industry.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 56)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to recognize a couple of Pages from Hay River South, Jon Tatti and Shaelyn Mabbitt. Thank you.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 56)

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that, on Thursday, February 21, 2019, I will move that Bill 37, An Act to Amend the Oil and Gas Operations Act, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 56)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document entitled "Follow-up Letter to Oral Question 522-18(3): Diamond Policy Framework Analysis." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 56)

Guardrails, we've had this conversation with the Member who looks after the Ingraham Trail, as well, around guardrails. Guardrails are identified if there's a safety hazard to traffic, but they are set up as according to industry standards as to the Transportation Association of Canada Guide, and I'm sure that our superintendent is all over that on that whole section of highway. I can actually ask the department to give me a list of where we think we need to be doing this or where we're planning on doing guardrails and let the Member know what we're going to be installing.