Debates of February 3, 2006 (day 22)

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Minister of Transportation, Mr. McLeod.

Return To Question 337-15(4): Update On Bridge Construction In The Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it is always good to get a compliment on some of the work and initiatives we have done in the different areas of the North. We have certainly put a lot of effort in the Sahtu. We have been working this year, I think, in the Sahtu region. We are working on two fairly large projects in terms of bridging. Big Smith and Little Smith creeks, those will be going ahead. We started doing some of the initial work this past year. We will continue to do that. The cost factor is a concern. Our prices are coming in fairly high. We are looking at ways that we can accommodate the needs for some additional investment to deal with that.

On the ice roads and the winter roads, I believe all of our winter roads and ice roads are now at the maximum level. So we are quite happy that we are able to do that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 337-15(4): Update On Bridge Construction In The Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to say this on behalf of the people, that they wanted to congratulate Minister McLeod and other people who made it happen that we happen to have a very excellent road this winter here. In terms of the bridge, I know that costs and factors are high. That is why I want to ask the Minister in terms of doing business in the Sahtu. It is certainly different in the south here. We have to pay the Sahtu prices for doing business there. I want to ask the Minister, what types of plans are in place for his department to stay in the Sahtu prices, because otherwise business would be leaving to look for work elsewhere in terms of finishing up the bridge. I want to ask if he would give special consideration to the local workers up in our region in terms of winter road work. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question337-15(4): Update On Bridge Construction In The Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we always give first consideration to the local companies in the area. We have done so with the Sahtu contractors. We have also had, actually, several sit-down meetings with a number of the companies. We will continue to do so. The requirement for additional investment is, of course, a concern. We will not be looking at going outside of the region, or we will probably look at a process that will allow us to have northern bidders or an RFP, for that matter. As to additional dollars, we may have to look at moving dollars from another project or another region. I am not sure how we are going to accommodate it at this point. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 337-15(4): Update On Bridge Construction In The Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the ice roads are a concern this year in the Sahtu. I know that Mr. Minister had indicated some time in the past about a bridge at the Bear River. I want to ask the Minister for an update on that progress. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 337-15(4): Update On Bridge Construction In The Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, the work continues to go ahead on the Bear River bridge. We did some early design work. We have done some early scoping and costing of the area. We have also had several meetings with the community to talk about the actual location of where this bridge can be accommodated. These meetings were very well attended. There was some good discussion. We feel that we are quite comfortable, along with the community, as to the actual site of the bridge. We have hired a company to do some pricing on this project. Some early costing has shown that this bridge will more than likely come at a high price tag, a lot higher than what was earlier budgeted for, so we are looking at different options of how we can deal with this bridge, including looking at buying a bridge that was from the South. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Time for oral questions has expired. Before we go on to the next order of the day, the Chair is going to call a short break.

---SHORT RECESS

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a written question to the Minister of the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation.

What is the latest assessment of core need of housing in the Sahtu?

What types of NWTHC programs are committed solely to the elders/seniors?

Who in the Sahtu region have taken up the manufactured homes since they were brought in?

When will the NWTHC begin regional discussions with our region on the concept of Novel manufactured homes?

How many homes did NWTHC sell to community members and what programs were used to assist them?

What plans are in place to design new, affordable, efficient-heating homes?

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Written questions. Replies to the opening address. Replies to the budget address. Honourable Member from Tu Nedhe, Mr. Villeneuve.

Mr. Speaker, I seek the House's permission to return to item 7, written questions.

Mahsi, Members. I have a written question for the Minister of Health and Social Services.

Is there a 24-hour suicide helpline available for all communities in the NWT?

Are professionals available on a 24-hour basis for people who are suffering from mental illness or severe depression? Are doctors available to answer these distress calls?

Do people in our remote communities, who cannot and will not discuss their mental problems with their community health workers or use the helpline, have other options available that the Department of Health and Social Services can offer?

If so, is there any information or regular communication being delivered to the remote communities about these programs and suicide prevention in general?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Report on the 2006-2007 Pre-Budget Review Process.

The Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight is pleased to present its report on its 2006-2007 Pre-Budget Review. This report covers both the committee’s review of the 2006-2009 Draft Business Plans, which took place in September 2005, and also its review of the 2006-2007 Draft Main Estimates, which took place in January 2006.

During this budget cycle, changes were introduced with the goal of increasing the level of public debate and involvement in the budget process. The first change was the implementation of pre-budget public consultations, which the committee undertook late in the summer of 2005. The committee presented its report on those consultations last October, and looks forward to the tabling of the government’s response later in this sitting.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Motion is on the floor. Motion is in order.

Question.

All those in favour? All those opposed? Motion is carried.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, that Committee Report 5-15(4) be received by the Assembly and moved into Committee of the Whole.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Motion is on the floor. Motion is in order. To the motion.

Question.

Question is being called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Committee report will be moved into Committee of the Whole. Honourable Member from Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to seek unanimous consent to waive Rule 93(4) and have Committee Report 5-15(4) moved into Committee of the Whole for consideration on Monday, February 6th, 2006.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Standing Committee on Governance and Economic Development is pleased to present its report on its 2006-2007 Pre-Budget Review Process. This report covers both the committee’s review of the 2006-2009 Draft Business Plans, which took place in September 2005, and also its review of the 2006-2007 Draft Main Estimates, which took place in January 2006.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Motion is on the floor. Motion is in order. To the motion.

Question.

Question is being called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, that Committee Report 6-15(4) be received by the Assembly and moved into Committee of the Whole. Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Motion is on the floor. Motion is in order. To the motion.

Question.

Question is being called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Committee Report 6-15(4) will be moved into Committee of the Whole. Honourable Member from Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to seek unanimous consent to waive Rule 93(4) and have Committee Report 6-15(4) moved into Committee of the Whole for consideration on Monday, February 6th, 2006. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Your Standing Committee on Social Programs is pleased also to provide its report on the 2006-2007 Pre-Budget Review Process and commends it to the House. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Sahtu, that the Report on the 2006-2007 Pre-Budget Review Process of the Standing Committee on Social Programs be deemed read and printed in Hansard in its entirety. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Motion is on the floor. Motion is in order. To the motion.

Question.

All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.