Hay River South

Statements in Debates

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 31)

Let me clarify something here. I said that the letter was sent respecting the firewall, and it was on behalf of the department through our North Slave regional superintendent. We believe all protocols were followed with respect to the environmental assessment. The only thing that I am aware of is that I had a discussion with my deputy about the environmental assessment, about the buffer size. Besides that, I didn't know much more about the environmental assessment process, and the department is handling that with respect to how the process is set up.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 31)

Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories made a mandate commitment to implement a new NWT Energy Strategy that would include renewable and alternative energy solutions and actions this government and its partners will undertake to meet targets for greenhouse gas reductions.

Earlier this month, the GNWT publicly released its 2030 Energy Strategy, along with the Climate Change Strategic Framework and the NWT Petroleum Resources Strategy. Together, these documents define our long-term vision and approach to energy and climate change and will enable the NWT to transition to a strong...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 30)

One thing, let's make it quite clear, most of these jobs, as I have been informed, are mostly NWT residents, and we are quite concerned about that. Particularly as the Minister of ITI, I have a very big concern about that. We want to keep these jobs in our territory, but, at the same time, this is an issue between the union and Dominion Diamond. If there is an issue that they can't work out and they want someone to help facilitate, I would certainly direct my department to try to help them do that. We want to make sure that Dominion Diamond, regardless of the outcome of this, that they meet...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 30)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I did in my Minister's statement, I said that ITI is going to be spending $7 million on parks infrastructure in this coming year, which is a significant investment across the parks system. One of the things that we need to make quite clear: we are almost a victim of our own success here around tourism, because the growth has been so substantial and the pressures put on the system have been enormous. I commend the department for all of the hard work they are doing. As I said, we are spending $7 million on the parks system this year, which includes a lot of money in...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 30)

As with any of these large projects taking place in the Northwest Territories, be it our own projects or P3 projects, there is something always to be learned. There is something to be learned on everyday-to-day life, and these projects are no different. The one thing I suspect going forward on this, to make it quite clear, I suspect because this was a federally funded project by a significant amount, there is going to be some type of federal audit around this project, and we will gladly participate in that, and we will gladly share that with Members of the House if it is done. Thank you, Mr...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 30)

Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories is following through on its mandate commitment to strengthen connections with public and private sector partners and work to secure funding to advance planning and construction of transportation projects and invest in strategic transportation infrastructure across the Northwest Territories. These partnerships have resulted in investments to improve the quality of the Northwest Territories' highway system, which increases public safety and ensures efficient delivery of essential goods and services for communities.

This summer, the...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 30)

I don't think it is going to have an impact on tourism whatsoever. As the ferry situation is not even open yet, it has not impacted access to that road right now from southern Canada. The impact of the road closure right now is between the residents in Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk. They have been very receptive and understanding of the situation that we need to complete this road. The contractors are out there diligently doing their work along with our engineering people. We look forward to the road opening to the general public as soon as it is safe to do so.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 30)

As the Member is well aware, we have a process that we follow. We have forced growth. We have new initiatives. We have the budget process. The department recognizes the needs and the pressure on the system and the fiscal capacity that we have to deliver what we can deliver with what we have. I will be bringing something forward for more funding around a whole bunch of initiatives. In due time, we will have those brought to the House. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 30)

As I have stated in this House many times, we are continuing to give the ongoing support that we gave to the tourism centre that previously operated, $161,000 annually. That is going on, as far as I know, as long as I am here. What we are waiting to do is hear back from the City of Yellowknife with their consultants what their long-term view of this is.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 30)

I can get those details for the Member, but I believe, through our infrastructure bilaterals that we signed with Minister Sohi, one of the line items there is to have a look at some of the preconstruction work that would need to be completed for the Taltson project. There is certainly some money there that we are looking at spending on predevelopment work. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.