Wally Schumann

As most Members know, this Slave Geological Province access corridor is currently in the very early planning stages. The application of the Land Use and Sustainability Framework will be the key next step to advancing and planning of this project once federal funding has been secured.

As we move forward, we know that we have to have considerations for land use, protection of wildlife, economic opportunities for this project. We will provide involvement of Indigenous organizations and ongoing development of this project as we move forward on it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the Member stated, we were denied funding in the first round of the National Trade Corridors Fund. One thing I want to make light of that is there were over 300 applicants right across this country for this funding and a $2 billion fund, which I have always said at the FPT tables we could spend the whole $2 billion. We are competing against all of Canada for a small pot of money. That is not saying our project is any more or less desirable than any other one, just that there is a limited amount of funding.

We believe there is a second round of funding for this pot of...

Last year, we replaced three guardrails at kilometre 33.8, 37.6, and 45.5. The department has here in my note that we are doing a planning and survey, and design work is underway for possible installation of guardrails at kilometre 13.5 and kilometre 18.7 for the 2018-2019 fiscal year.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I have travelled that road as of a couple of nights ago with Member McNeely when we were out having a look around town. There are a number of potholes on that section of highway. I suspect that the maintenance crews that will be looking after and maintaining all highways across the Northwest Territories, as all Members know, have to wait until the road thaws out and get on these situations.

I believe this section of highway is ours at this point. I think we are having discussions with the City of Yellowknife in taking over that section of highway. We can keep the...

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document entitled "NWT Petroleum Resources: A Path to Northern Benefits and Energy Security." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories has significant and varied energy resources. As Canada's gas and liquefied natural gas industry takes steps towards competing in the global market, the Northwest Territories' resources are positioned to both improve energy security locally and help Canada compete.

The responsible development of these resources will also create meaningful jobs for residents, opportunities for business, and sources of revenue to support territory-wide public programs and services for NWT residents.

In particular, the Northwest Territories' petroleum resources offer a...

We wanted these projects to match real life issues and the challenges that we face in the Northwest Territories, so a sample of what the engineering design staff experience every day in our departments.

We have had them have a look at a couple of things: the Slave Geological Province alignment; health monitoring of the Deh Cho bridge; road alignment for the new winter road to Deline; repair options for airports at the Hay River, Yellowknife, and Inuvik runways, as we have challenges around them; options for Highway No. 3; and possible options for permafrost as well.

One thing about having these...

Well, I will check with the department and see what the planning was around the date that we want to meet with the community. I know summer is coming and a number of the Member's riding people on council may be on holiday, so we have to get that date straightened out. I will let him know the exact date. We want to go in there sooner than later, hopefully. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Yes, in the letter to me, they have mentioned rumble strips, lower speed limits, signage, pedestrian crossing, and, like I said at the time of the meeting there, when we were doing the Deh Cho tour, that I would send our staff in there to do an assessment and meet with the committee and then make an assessment and get back to me and we can discuss that with the community and the Member from the riding.

With that said, we know the Kitikmeot organization is still very interested. There has been some discussion going on, how they want to participate and support not only their road but ours. I wouldn't say that it's totally dead on that side of it. We know that the Government of Northwest Territories has identified the Slave Geological Province in our mandate. We are all well aware of that and around our 25-year transportation strategy, we heard from Northerners that this is a high priority. Most members agree with me that this is a key to the future of our territory around economic development...