Good afternoon, colleagues. Welcome back to the Chamber. Colleagues, notwithstanding the extended adjournment of the House to May 11, 2010, I was asked by the Premier, on behalf of the Executive Council, to convene a sitting of this House to commence today, Tuesday, March 23, 2010. The Premier advised me in a letter dated March 4, 2010, that the government was requesting this sitting of the Assembly to allow for the consideration of important financial matters which must be dealt with prior to the May 11th sitting.
Our rules do not specifically address the recalling of the House during an adjournment, so I turned to the House of Commons Procedures and Practices, Second Edition, 2009, for direction. Accordingly, Members, I sent a message to each of you advising the request and asked any Members who objected or who were unable to attend this sitting to contact me. I did not hear from any Members who objected or were unable to attend. I then advised the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, in a letter dated March 8, 2010, that I would be convening a sitting of this Legislative Assembly at 1:30 p.m. on March 23, 2010. I also advised the Clerk that the purpose of the sitting was to consider a supplementary appropriation bill. At the appropriate time, colleagues, I will table the letter which was received from the Premier, on behalf of the Executive Council, concerning this recall.
Colleagues, it is now my duty to advise the House that I have received the following message from the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories and it reads:
Dear Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise that I recommend to the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories the passage of Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 2, 2010-2011, during the Fifth Session of the 16th Legislative Assembly. Yours truly, Anthony W.J. Whitford, Commissioner.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to provide Members and the public with an update on the status of construction on the Deh Cho Bridge Project.
This project has had its share of challenges, but these challenges have been effectively addressed. As a result, I am pleased to note that the project is now 50 percent complete, with the recent completion of the foundation work. The bridge contractor, Ruskin Construction, has completed installing the pier bents and is now in the process of removing the temporary bridge. The bridge project is now “out of the water,” leaving behind the highest risk component of the entire project.
We have a reviewed and approved design of the bridge superstructure. This cable-stayed bridge, which has been designed to accommodate barging traffic on the river, will be impressive once constructed. It will provide a clearance of 23 metres for river traffic, with towers that will reach over 45 metres in the air. The new design is also more conventional, simpler to construct and at a more reasonable price. The new design will ensure that the bridge will serve us well for its entire expected lifespan of 75 years.
This project is on track for completion by November of 2011, one year later than originally planned. We now have a general contractor, Ruskin Construction, who has teamed up with capable subcontractors to complete the bridge construction over the next 20 months. Work on the bridge superstructure is already underway, with the purchase of the steel and the production of the shop drawings for fabrication of the truss and deck. This summer the contractor will complete the construction of the abutments for both approaches, and this fall the contractor will begin to launch the truss itself.
We also have a new project management team in place, led by Associated Engineering. This team is already on site working to ensure an orderly transition for engineering oversight of the construction.
The Government of the Northwest Territories and our partner, the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation, have risen above the challenges with which we have been presented. I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the community of Fort Providence for their dream of constructing this bridge. Without their determination it is doubtful that this project would be entering the final phase of construction. While there have been challenges on this project, we all look forward to the economic development opportunities that will come from the bridge. I am optimistic that we can successfully define a new partnership arrangement with the community as we move forward.
The benefits of construction of this bridge have been outlined on many occasions in the past. It was these benefits that resulted in the support for proceeding with this project from my colleagues in this House and I thank you for that support. These benefits include all-weather road access to and from the North Slave region 24 hours per day, 365 days of the year. The bridge will result in economic benefits to the NWT from more efficient trucking operations and more reliability in deliveries for businesses. More competition can also be expected as the risks associated with freight transportation over a ferry and ice crossing system is reduced. And let us not forget the environmental and safety risks. The risk of fuel spills will be substantially reduced once a permanent bridge is in place. Idling vehicles waiting for the ferry will also be a thing of the past. The need for approximately half a million litres of fuel currently being used by the Merv Hardie will be eliminated.
We are looking to the future of the Deh Cho Bridge Project with a great deal of confidence. A key piece of infrastructure will be put in place without sacrificing the financial future of the NWT. The completion of the bridge will be a significant achievement for the government and people of the Northwest Territories. In less than two years this will be a reality.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Premier, Mr. Roland.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to take this opportunity to inform Members and NWT residents about the fiscal implications of the recent developments surrounding the Deh Cho Bridge Project.
Later today I will be tabling a supplementary appropriation estimates that will request the necessary authority for the GNWT to assume and administer the assets of the Deh Cho Bridge Project. The GNWT is also taking steps to assume the debt of the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation, totalling $165 million.
First, I want to assure Members and the public that assuming responsibility for the Deh Cho Bridge Project will not change the GNWT’s fiscal situation or the GNWT’s ability to pay for programs and services. The GNWT has always stood behind the project and is already committed to the payments needed to service this debt. Payments to meet the interest and principal obligations have been planned for and represent less than 1 percent of GNWT revenues. The bridge will be financed by the savings from the elimination of the current ferry and ice bridge operations and a toll on commercial vehicles crossing the bridge. The need for a GNWT contribution of approximately $2 million per year has also been planned for and factored into the costs.
Second, the request for appropriation authority is not a request for additional money for the bridge project. The projected cost of the project will be met from the $165 million already committed by the lenders plus the $15 million approved by the Legislative Assembly in February. The legislation we will be introducing will allow the funds to flow through the GNWT and be spent in accordance with the Financial Administration Act.
Third, assuming the project debt will not require the GNWT to take drastic fiscal measures to avoid hitting the debt wall.
With over $300 million in unused borrowing room as of April 1, 2010, taking on the $165 million debt associated with the project will not immediately cause the GNWT to exceed its borrowing limit. More importantly, federal Finance Minister Flaherty has agreed to work with us to accommodate the possibility that our medium-term borrowing needs could exceed the current limit by temporarily adjusting the borrowing limit.
We are currently in discussions with Minister Flaherty on the specifics of this accommodation. Minister Flaherty is taking steps to seek the appropriate federal Cabinet approvals for this temporary adjustment well before the GNWT could reach our current borrowing limit.
This accommodation will give us the room to implement the fiscal strategy already set out in the budget presented in January. One that will, through tight control over spending and a return to historical levels of capital investment, return to a sustainable fiscal path over the medium term.
We do not expect our Aa1 credit rating will be affected by assuming the debt. Moody’s Investors Service has already factored our obligation to support the debt into our credit assessments.
Mr. Speaker, I want to assure those listening today that this government is committed to the Deh Cho Bridge Project. We will continue to ensure the project is completed in a fiscally responsible manner. We have taken, and will continue to take, the measures needed to make this important NWT infrastructure project a success. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Premier, Mr. Roland.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to advise Members that the Honourable Robert C. McLeod will be absent from the House today to attend the Northern Housing Forum in Inuvik.
I also wish to advise Members that the Honourable Michael Miltenberger will be absent from the House for the remainder of the week to attend to a personal family matter. Thank you.
Mr. Speaker... [English translation not provided.]
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This week Members have been called back to consider legislation to establish the necessary authority that will provide for the GNWT to administer the completion of the Deh Cho Bridge. I spoke in the House in February to point out that Nahendeh people don’t want to see any more over-expenditures on this project. As taxpayers, they do not want to be left to pay for the cost overruns. I trust that, as Minister Michael McLeod advised in response to my questions in February, over-expenditures will eventually be offset by the revenues collected by toll fees.
Mr. Speaker, the vision we have for the Deh Cho Bridge is partly a symbolic one. The bridge is a link to the rest of Canada, and if we build a bridge across the Mackenzie, my vision is an improved highway to the rest of the Deh Cho and the Nahendeh will come.
I do support the government’s recent decision to take over the project and see it to completion. I have been asked to be vigilant over our management of the Deh Cho Bridge. My residents do want to see its completion, but do not want to see any more delays and increased costs paid by our tax dollars.
Minister McLeod earlier advised that the government was looking at providing signage on the highway and a website to keep the public informed of the progress on the bridge construction. I believe that this will be of interest to NWT residents and I look forward to seeing Northerners being informed on this major project. It is important that the remainder of the project goes smoothly in order to keep costs of both construction and borrowing in line. Residents have never been asked to carry the cost of this bridge, and they are not prepared to do so, Mr. Speaker. Mahsi cho.
Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Beaulieu.
Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. [English translation not provided.]
Mr. Speaker, today I wish to talk about elders in Fort Resolution and Lutselk'e that have their adult children and adult grandchildren living with them. In a lot of cases these children are providing a service to the elders in the area of health care, home care and other basic services elders are no longer able to do.
Mr. Speaker, because of the support provided by the elders’ grandchildren and children, it essentially absolves the GNWT of their responsibilities. Many of these services, even things as simple as taking medication, are menial but cannot be done by the elder. Mr. Speaker, the costs associated with elders living at home to the GNWT can be fairly substantial. However, many of these costs can be averted by making it feasible for the adult children or grandchild to live with the elder.
Mr. Speaker, currently the GNWT has policies insofar as fuel subsidies, land leases and land tax exemptions for elders based on household income. If a live-in child has any sort of income at all, the elder will lose their fuel subsidy or will lose their lease or tax exemption.
Mr. Speaker, this simply does not work in Fort Resolution and Lutselk’e. With employment rates hovering around 40 percent in these communities, Mr. Speaker, a person cannot afford to refuse work that is available. But in doing so, the elder is at risk of losing their government support.
Mr. Speaker, there are a number of simple real scenarios that can happen where the live-in adult or adult child or grandchild takes on some sort of short-term employment. They do this to better their situation and includes bettering the situation of an elder as well. However, Mr. Speaker, doing this negatively impacts the GNWT benefits of the elder and is something that needs to be reviewed.
Mr. Speaker, with the current policies, the GNWT seems to promote a lower standard of living for elders in their own homes. Mr. Speaker, later today I will ask questions of the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment as it pertains to the seniors programs. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. The honourable Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My colleagues, especially the Premier and Minister of Transportation, are well aware of my questions of the Deh Cho Bridge Project at every turn since becoming a Member of this House in 2003. Mr. Speaker, as much as it might pain some people in this building, I am going to continue to question the project over the course of this special sitting of the House.
Mr. Speaker, during this sitting, I will be seeking clarification on a number of issues. The first is what exactly we have committed to as a government with Ruskin for the remaining work on the project. I want to know specifically when the contracts were signed and by whom they were signed. When were milestones reached on negotiations for the notice to award and the intent to award and the notice to proceed? What currently is the Government of the Northwest Territories’ legal authority over these contracts and can we avoid taking on the responsibility that these contracts entail?
Mr. Speaker, my belief is we continue to compound bad decisions with more bad decisions. If we are to take this project on lock, stock and barrel, then work should be stopped on this project. A complete and thorough audit has to be done of the work performed by the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation and contractors who have worked on this project. Before we rush into spending almost $100 million more, should we not take complete stock of where we have been and get assurances that the construction to date is of a quality and standard that would warrant us spending additional money? This seems only logical to me.
Why then have we rushed into and negotiated a sole-source contract when we know full well that others would have submitted bids? If we went to tender, perhaps even Ruskin may have gotten the bid.
Don’t we have an obligation to the taxpayers and the public to manage the public purse? I am left wondering why was the government so intent on a sole-source deal with Ruskin. It would seem to me that perhaps it was the easy way out. Ruskin was owed money. They are familiar with the project and they know, Mr. Speaker, in which closets the skeletons are hung. The government would not have to answer questions from a new contractor.
Mr. Speaker, I have not wavered from my belief that the Deh Cho Bridge Project has got to be seen through to its completion. Given the history of the project, I just want to make sure that good…
Mr. Ramsay, your time for your Member’s statement has expired.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted.
Mr. Speaker, I just want to make sure that good sound decisions are being made on this project. I have always believed that if you are going to do anything, you have to make sure that you are doing it right. Mr. Speaker, this is something that I live by and I am going to hold the government to account on this project. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. In honour of Aboriginal Languages Month I raise a few issues regarding not just a preservation but the growth and development in youth of aboriginal languages.
I met recently with two of my constituents and the Minister of ECE. The Minister reacted very positively to suggestions that are now being considered for action. The first major issue is the timely ability to get training of professional interpreters and translators. An interpreter/translator course is offered by Aurora College, but only two course credits are available each year. Because the full course complement is 20 credits, 10 years are needed to take all the necessary courses to achieve certification. This is obviously unworkable.
Second is the lack of evaluators with certification to administer certification tests and grant the formal interpreter/translator credential. This problem has been highlighted for more than 10 years in successive aboriginal language studies and reports, but no action has been taken to ensure that once people get the necessary education they can go on to be granted certification.
Combine the two factors, a 10-year course timetable and no ability to certify the students at the end of 10 years, and we are obviously going to lose a lot of excellent candidates who either won’t bother starting a 10-year process, leave at some point over the decade of courses, or never get the certification needed for good jobs.
Some committed people still go into language instruction but they don’t get the good pay that only goes to those with credentials; credentials they can’t get for lack of a tester. Ultimately, programming suffers because people can’t get the training or the certificate.
Another issue is the allocation and distribution of funding for local language development programming. Effective relevant language programs must be delivered at the individual community level to take advantage of local elders who are the best speakers, to ensure the nuances of the local dialect are honoured and because the best programming will be based in the local culture. Currently, funding is distributed on a regional basis for redistribution to individual communities. There have been problems with the redistribution coming too late in the fiscal year to be used. There has even been considerable lapsed funding.
Because the program is ultimately delivered at the community level, we need to look at how the department can put the funds directly in the hands of the communities at the beginning of each fiscal year so we get the best value from the scant funds available.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted.
Briefly, at our recent meeting the Minister took these issues, as I say, very seriously and committed to see how this situation can be improved. I’m grateful for this commitment and look forward to his proposals. Let’s all look at what’s working and what isn’t in our aboriginal language support programs and improve where needed. I look forward to reports of good progress on these issues. Mahsi.
Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I think NWT residents are, by and large, a patient lot. It’s not unusual for me to be contacted by a constituent, and with their first breath be advised that they’re not in the habit of contacting an MLA but that they are doing so because they have been pushed far beyond their normal level of patience and understanding. So when this situation occurs, when an individual does contact us and tells us it’s not their normal behaviour, I believe they deserve a reply, and quickly.
But such was not the case for one of my constituents, a constituent who e-mailed a concern to the Minister of Health and Social Services and copied me on the message. As the request was to the Minister, I replied to the constituent and said I would wait for the Minster’s reply and after that provide my comments on the concern to him.
Today, Mr. Speaker, some 18 months later, the constituent has never heard from the Minister, the person to whom the e-mail was addressed. Nor has he heard from anyone at the Department of Health and Social services. To be fair, he was contacted by the hospital regarding some of the specifics of his concern, but there was no response to any of the policy questions or concerns in his e-mail.
That is totally unacceptable, Mr. Speaker. Do our residents mean so little to Ministers that they can’t even send a reply that says I have your e-mail, I will look into it? Surely we have enough staff within the GNWT that someone could be tasked with the job of a reply to each and every inquiry that comes to us.
Mr. Speaker, the government and its employees are a public entity and that means responsible to the public, those people who gave us our jobs. Our staff are identified as a public service and they should be providing service to the residents of the NWT.
According to Webster’s dictionary, the definition of service is: “work done for others,” or “the act of giving assistance to another,” or “friendly help.” I especially like that last one. My constituent certainly did not get service as a result of his contact with this government, no matter which of those definitions you choose to use. I can only hope that his experience is not the norm, because if it is the norm, Mr. Speaker, it is no wonder that the public’s confidence in this government is shattered and in pieces. I will have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services later on.
Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Abernethy.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There has been a significant amount of discussion regarding the Taltson Hydro Expansion Project over the last couple of months. My colleague Mr. Bromley made a clear, concise and reasonable statement on March 3, 2010, encouraging this government to take control of its utilities, the utilities it owns, and start building for the future. I couldn’t agree more.
There is merit in the Taltson hydro expansion. The project will provide some short-term economic stimuli during the construction and reduce the burning of diesel in mines and hopefully extend mine life or open up new mining opportunities throughout the North Slave geological region.
As a business and lead in the expansion project, Deze Energy’s primary focus is to make money and provide a return to their stakeholders. From a business and profit perspective, there is no question that the route proposed by Deze Energy to the east of Great Slave Lake is definitely the best route for them and their profit margin. However, constructing transmission lines through a new federal park, one of the most beautiful places on Earth and an important traditional location for many aboriginal people from the area, with no clear or concise long-term plan for the sake of short-term profit seems counterproductive to the best interests of the people of the Northwest Territories.
As a government we must think beyond the economic benefits of one company. We must do what is right, what is just, and what is for the public good. As the partners move forward with the expansion, the government, in particular the Premier, must provide leadership to Deze through the NWT Power and NWT Hydro corporations so that the best interests of the people of the Northwest Territories can be taken into consideration and acted upon.
The Premier must ensure that a long-term strategy which addresses the advantages of NWT grids is taken into consideration. The Premier must ensure that redundancies in the provision of electricity through the NWT are taken into consideration. The Premier must ensure that the benefits to the other communities and our residents who live there are taken into consideration. There are alternate routes worth considering which address all of these potential advantages and are in the best interest of the people that we serve.
Unfortunately, these routes may cost a bit more money in the short term and cut into Deze’s profits. It won’t eliminate their profits, just decrease them a bit. These routes, however, will offer significant long-term benefits to the people of the Northwest Territories without losing any of the practical opportunities presented by the eastern route, such as the creation of short-term employment and the support and reduction of greenhouse gases.
The Premier and Cabinet must do what is right, just, and for the public good, not the good of one company and their bottom line. This government must take control of our utilities...
Mr. Abernethy, your time for your Member’s statement has expired.
I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted.
The Premier and Cabinet must do what is right, just, and for the public good, not the good of one company and their bottom line. This government must take control of our utilities and start building for the future. I will be asking the Premier questions at the appropriate time.
Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The decision to refer the question of the GNWT’s legal right to impose restrictions on the aboriginal people from the harvesting of caribou is not a good sign of consensus government. Regular Members should have been involved in the decision to refer this matter to the Supreme Court of the Northwest Territories. The legal right of the government to ban aboriginal people from caribou harvesting is a major question. The result of the court hearing could have serious implications not only for the caribou hunt but for the future discussions regarding aboriginal rights and how decisions are made in the Northwest Territories.
Referral to the Supreme Court is extremely rare. There has only been one other incident in the past 15 years in which the Minister of Justice referred to the Supreme Court of the Northwest Territories. The implications of that referral had much less direct impact on the people of the Northwest Territories.
Almost one year ago the Members of the Legislative Assembly reaffirmed our commitment to the principles of consensus government. We agreed, “except under extraordinary circumstances, Members of the Legislative Assembly should be aware of and have the opportunity to discuss significant announcements, changes, consultations or initiatives before they are released to the public or introduced into the Legislative Assembly.” Were these principles worth the paper they were written on?
The decision to refer the question about the hunting ban to the Supreme Court should have been discussed with the committee whether the referral to the Supreme Court was the best way to proceed. ENR has since reached an agreement with the Yellowknives Dene First Nation and are working on the details for the community hunt to take place soon. Chief Sangris has also agreed that the Yellowknives Dene First Nation and ENR need to work together on a long-term management plan for the Bathurst caribou.
The questions surrounding the ban on the caribou harvesting are controversial and divisive. We must deal with the issue with as much transparency as possible so that our people have the confidence in their leaders and that we are truly acting in the best interests of the people in the Northwest Territories.
Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Jacobson.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My Member’s statement today is in regard to the Mackenzie Gas Pipeline Project. Recently the Government of the Northwest Territories Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment filed comments with the National Energy Board on recommendations by the Joint Review Panel. Because the National Energy Board ultimately has the final decision on making further developments to the Mackenzie Gas Pipeline Project, these comments are very important and must be given the highest priority.
Many businesses along the corridor and northern regions have invested with hope that this would have shovels in the ground by now. That is why the government must continue to work with local governments and aboriginal governments, and especially the federal government, to make this project happen. Considering it is the most important project to the Northwest Territories, this government must be front and centre while promoting this project as well as timelines and deliverables with all parties including the applicants and stakeholders and companies.
We cannot allow another four years to pass. This government must work with the federal government and the ministerial offices such as Tony Clement, Minister Chuck Strahl of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, and the Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency to ensure the project is getting the prioritization that it deserves. These offices must be doing more with this government. They must work with them to ensure this project happens. Surely if we sit another four years, that would not only be a shame but an international embarrassment.
In addition, I urge this government to involve MLAs up and down the valley, community leaders and corporate leaders to push forward. This group needs to truly be inclusive. This government must devote the resources and the attention of this megaproject that it deserves. Without a commitment, we just don’t look very serious.
Local regional governments are passionate about this project. They are most knowledgeable about the issues and can generate the community-based support. I will have questions for the Minister of ITI at the appropriate time.
Thank you, Mr. Jacobson. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I want to use my Member’s statement to talk about the Medical Travel Policy in relation to people requiring transplants. As I’ve raised on a number of occasions, there needs to be a clearly defined policy with a specific aim to assistance for people who go through the medical transplant process. We need a policy that takes into consideration the real and much needed support of family members who should be there through this difficult time.
I want to now paint a picture of how disappointing the present Medical Travel Policy is and, in my view, how it is very insensitive at the least. Imagine you or a family member or friend, or even just someone you know, who has a two-year old son whose heart was removed just three short weeks ago. As in this case, those three short weeks ago that child’s mother has been relentlessly sitting by the side of that child every waking moment, leaving only to get minimal sleep; assuming that your body will allow you to get any sleep throughout this ordeal. Now imagine, because of our Medical Travel Policy, you have to leave the remainder of your support, your loved ones, back home here in the North.
What is this story about? Such as this case, a husband, another son who is six, and a daughter who is four are left behind to cope. Imagine what it must be like being alone in a hospital with your two-year-old child with no heart waiting for a transplant while the other parent is left home tending to your other children, as in this story I am attempting to illustrate.
The present territorial Medical Travel Policy, our Medical Travel Policy, the Medical Travel Policy overseen by the Health Minister, does not contemplate this challenge of having one parent only sent out for what is a truly unknown amount of time without any visits from their immediate family, that father, the six-year-old older brother, or even the four-year-older sister.
Our present Medical Travel Policy does not contemplate the challenge of burn out by the parent at the hospital and, therefore, does not consider respite of any kind. I ask: does this mother not deserve a break? Does this mother not need the direct support of her family? Does this child in the hospital not need to see his older brother or sister for strength to fight on? I think so. For this mother to receive a much needed break, as the present policy dictates, she would have to leave on her own accord and leave her son unattended, which is certainly not right.
Mr. Speaker, may I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement?
---Unanimous consent granted.
So why are we not a territory of compassion that takes circumstances and fairly weighs them with the empathy and understanding that needs to be taken into consideration?
So to close my statement with one final matter that needs to be put into perspective -- and most certainly, God forbid, that this day ever does come -- however, if that dark day and disappointing moment had to come where this child, a two-year-old smiling and wonderful little boy named Jonas, had to have his machines turned off, our Medical Travel Policy wouldn’t unite this family one last time. It would leave that mother alone in the room as the machines went silent; it would leave the father here in Yellowknife pacing hopelessly and helplessly; and leave the other two children scarred without being able to say goodbye as their little brother took his final breath. Mr. Speaker, this two-year-old boy needs the support that we can give, and I certainly believe our government can do better. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the need for infrastructure is needed throughout the Northwest Territories and other regions. Mr. Speaker, this week we’ll be talking about the Deh Cho Bridge. Mr. Speaker, there’s a need for bridges in other regions and the regions I represent, from the Peel River Bridge, which has been discussed in this House, to the Liard Bridge and the Bear River Bridge, which also has been discussed in this House.
Mr. Speaker, this week what happens to the Deh Cho Bridge will set the precedent for the rest of the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, as communities and community ownership is a critical component to land claim negotiations, regional claim settlements, and, more importantly, the benefit of the communities that will be impacted by these major developments.
Mr. Speaker, I think it’s important to realize that as Northerners and as people in the North, we expect to receive the majority of the benefits that flow from these projects and have them built by northern companies and northern businesses and also ensure that employment opportunities are arrived at for the residents of the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, infrastructure is key to the future development of the Northwest Territories, and what happens this week with the Deh Cho Bridge, again, will set the precedent for future developments.
I know I’m repeating myself, Mr. Speaker, but sometimes you have to do that to get the word across. We have a perfect opportunity for the Department of Transportation to build the capacity that’s needed to look at these other projects throughout the Northwest Territories and improve the public infrastructure from the Mackenzie Highway north of Wrigley to Tuktoyaktuk and connecting our communities to year-round access as we are trying to achieve here with the Deh Cho Bridge.
Mr. Speaker, I realize that things have changed, but hopefully it’s a change for the better. Mr. Speaker, I look forward to the debate this week, but I would like to point out to the Government of the Northwest Territories to not lose sight of those other infrastructure needs throughout the Northwest Territories and bridges that are needed in other regions. Mahsi.
Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.
