Debates of June 1, 2005 (day 6)

Mahsi, Madam Speaker. My question today is to the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. It is in regard to an issue that has been really important in the community of Lutselk’e and has been brought forward to the Minister in the past number of years with regard to dust control…

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…the control and the level of dust in Lutselk’e. Now the dust bowl that is created in the community of Lutselk’e, because of the prevailing summer winds and the landscape in the East Arm area, makes for a perfect spot where the community is that you can see it when you are flying over there. Just the amount of dust that gets raised from a simple breeze coming off the lake, and people in the community have a lot of health issues with respect to dust control with the seniors and the children too. I just want to ask the Minister since there is no dedicated funding provided to the community of Lutselk’e in their O and M budget to curb the dust control problem that they have there, and it is up to the community to determine the appropriate amounts to spend out of their O and M budgets on dust control and I’m sure the community would spend all of their budget on dust control if they had that option available to them, but then they would have no money for other essential services in the community. Can the Minister answer the question of when will the report on best practices for dust control in the NWT be available to the House? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Villeneuve. The honourable Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. McLeod.

Return To Question 75-15(4): Dust Control Practices For The NWT

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, the document is completed. We have not had an opportunity to sit down and review the findings. As soon as we have that opportunity, I will be pleased to share that with the Members of this House. I’m anticipating that to be sometime next week. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister McLeod. Supplementary, Mr. Villeneuve.

Supplementary To Question 75-15(4): Dust Control Practices For The NWT

Thank you, Madam Speaker. It’s good to know that the report has been completed and that the department will be reviewing it. I guess just based on the findings of the report I know there’s going to be some communities that will have really severe dust levels that have been reported in the report; other communities not so bad. I want to know what measure the department is going to take. When they review the report, are they going to include extra funding to the communities that have really high levels of dust during the summer months? How is the department going to address the issue? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Villeneuve. Minister McLeod.

Further Return To Question 75-15(4): Dust Control Practices For The NWT

Madam Speaker, it’s difficult to respond to that question. I don’t know what the options or the solutions are that the contractor is recommending at this point. The issue of dust is a serious concern in all the communities across the North. Whether it is a large centre or a small centre, it’s an issue that we need to be able to deal with. We’d like to be able to look at the findings and respond accordingly. If there’s a need for additional resources to implement some of these programs, then we’d certainly look at that and include it in our plan for next year or if there is any avenue to include it with some new dollars that may come forward. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister McLeod. Supplementary, Mr. Villeneuve.

Supplementary To Question 75-15(4): Dust Control Practices For The NWT

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I guess the whole issue is getting down to the dollars and cents. I just want to make sure that the Minister is acknowledging the fact that there are some communities that have severe levels of dust, and other communities aren’t so bad. I want to make sure that the Minister is going to prioritize communities that have a severe problem where issues have been coming forward to this House year after year with respect to the high levels of dust around there and to this day really nothing has been done. So I just want to make sure that the Minister is well aware that Lutselk’e should be put on a high priority list, because I think it has one of the highest levels of dust in the NWT. With regard to that, I want to ask the Minister when is Lutselk’e slated to get their main street chipsealed to kind of alleviate a little bit of this dust problem? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Villeneuve. Minister McLeod.

Further Return To Question 75-15(4): Dust Control Practices For The NWT

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I certainly can’t agree with the Member’s comments that we haven’t done anything on dust control. The responsibility for dust control is built into the community government formula allocation. That’s part of their responsibilities for operations. Dust control is factored in. So each community has included in their budget some dollars for dust suppression. We’ve also undertaken to provide a main street chipsealing program that has been in the works for several years now. We have a long list of communities. I don’t have it in front of me, but I would be pleased to provide that to the Member. We have undertaken to do a study in all the different communities on the different ways that we can deal with the dust issue and that information will come forward. We’ll certainly give strong consideration to the Member’s riding when we put together a plan of action and that’s something that we will be doing. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Minister McLeod. Final supplementary, Mr. Villeneuve.

Supplementary To Question 75-15(4): Dust Control Practices For The NWT

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Maybe I’m getting conflicting information here, but I’ve got a note here, Madam Speaker, that is right from the Minister’s office that says unfortunately there is no dedicated funding provided to Lutselk’e for dust control. So I don’t know where the Minister is getting the idea that it’s built into their O and M budget, because he’s saying right here that there’s no dedicated funding in O and M for dust control for Lutselk’e and it’s up to the community to spend whatever it feels is appropriate out of their O and M budget, which makes no specific reference for dust control dollars. So maybe the Minister can provide me with some better breakdown of the O and M budget and show me how much money the community has at its leisure to spend on dust control and how much the government would allow them to spend. If the Minister can provide that, I’d surely love to see those numbers. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Villeneuve. Minister McLeod.

Further Return To Question 75-15(4): Dust Control Practices For The NWT

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, the Member is correct; there is no budget line that states an amount earmarked for dust control. Dust control is factored in as part of the formula and that money comes forward as a block fund. We do not tell the communities how to spend their money. If Lutselk’e wants to spend their money on dust control or a recreation officer, that’s up to them to put the priority and investment where they see fit. We don’t tell the communities how to invest their money. We want the communities to make their own decisions, and if that money is not spent, in this case as the Member has indicated, on dust control, that’s not something we can direct the communities to do or intervene with. That is the community’s decision. Thank you.