Shane Thompson

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, the Standing Committee on Social Development concluded its review of Bill 15, Document Formalization Service and Notice Reform Statutes Amendment Act on September 27, 2018, with a public hearing held at the Legislative Assembly building. Committee received no public submissions on the bill. Overall, the committee is pleased to support the government's effort to deliver information and official notices in a more convenient, effective, and cost-efficient manner. Individual Members may have additional comments or questions as we proceed with the consideration of...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, the Standing Committee on Social Development concluded its review of Bill 13, An Act to Amend the Securities Act, on September 27, 2018, with a public hearing held at the Legislative Assembly building. The committee received no public submissions on the bill. The committee supports the government's effort to align territorial legislation with contemporary needs in Canadian interjurisdictional agreements. Individual Members may have additional comments or questions as we proceed with considering this bill. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I corrected myself, and I said that I said "information sheet" but you said "information." That is exactly what it was. What I am asking you for is, when you share that information with us, can we share it out to the residents of the Northwest Territories? Because, when we share stuff, sometimes it's confidential, and I don't want to get myself into trouble. So will the Minister provide us with clarity that we can actually share this information that we asked for?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions again are for the Minister of Lands, here. As you can see, it's a very important issue, especially when it comes to IGOs. I am assuming that's Indigenous government organizations and, depending on another department, it's designated authorities, so can the Minister advise if the department is contacting the municipal governments or the designated authorities or the regional organizations? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I thank the Minister and the staff for getting out there and talking to the IGOs. I think that is what he says he is calling it. I'm not too sure what that is, but I thank him for that. I guess my next question is in regard to this information sheet. Why wasn't this information sheet done before they started posting up? Why wasn't this information shared out there to the general public until now when they are asking for it?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to follow up with some more questions to the Minister of Lands. When he talked about going into Nahendeh to consult and talk to the people, he's talking about October 22nd and the 25th. There are six communities in the Nahendeh riding, so can the Minister please explain where they are meeting, and with whom they are meeting? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I thank the Minister for that answer. So, I guess the question is from our riding, and a lot of people use this ferry, so will the department start looking at this option or other options to see it again? Because we're talking 20 years ago, and, with modern technology now and equipment, will the Minister advise this House if the department's looking at that?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, with weather changing, the drop of water levels, we are seeing the Merv Hardie Ferry on 24hour notice. It is at least 23 days earlier than the 15-year average. I want to recognize and thank the marine staff. They've done a great job of keeping the ferry operational as long as we can and for doing it in a safe manner. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Infrastructure. Can the Minister please advise the House how the department is getting the message out to the residents and non-residents that the ferry is going to be shut down earlier than...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I'd hope they actually would start looking into that and start planning for the future because the water levels keep on dropping and regularly. Yes, we're seeing Watson Lake go up and warming up, but we're still seeing the challenge. With the water levels dropping, and it's occurring on a regular basis, has the department looked at ways to help reduce the cost of living during the ferry shutdown and ice road being built?

I thank the Minister for that information. Yes, they're operating the ferries at a level that's even unprecedented, so I'd like to thank again the staff there. Because of the water level dropping in the channel, it needs to be dredged. When you sit there and you look at it and you talk to the ferry and you talk to residents, it needs to be dredged. Is the Minister able to advise if the department has looked into the process of dredging this section of the river?