Debates of March 4, 2005 (day 49)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions today are for the Minister of Transportation and they go back to my Member’s statement where I mentioned the fact that in 2003, the last year statistics were available, 176 million litres of diesel oil and 34 million kilograms of ammonium nitrate went through Enterprise and most of it comes through Yellowknife on its way north to the diamond mines. I wanted to ask the Minister today how many inspectors are exclusively dedicated to this and whether those personnel have changed in number or expertise over the past several years. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Return To Question 543-15(3): Inspectors For Transportation Of Dangerous Goods

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have 10 officers that deal with dangerous goods in the Northwest Territories located at various scale operations in Fort Liard, Inuvik and Enterprise. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 543-15(3): Inspectors For Transportation Of Dangerous Goods

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Could I ask the Minister why the number of tickets issued have decreased when the amount of dangerous goods being transported on our road system has steadily increased? Why are tickets going down and dangerous goods going up? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 543-15(3): Inspectors For Transportation Of Dangerous Goods

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to be able to say that it was totally through good enforcement activities and compliance and a good relationship with the trucking industry, but there are also indications that the levels of traffic in the area of dangerous goods have decreased as a result of the Diavik Mine being completed and also the Miramar Con Mine ceasing production. So we had some reductions in terms of the dangerous goods traffic that was going through in the year 2004. We expect it to pick up again this year.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 543-15(3): Inspectors For Transportation Of Dangerous Goods

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister why we are seeing the increase in spills. We had six in 2001, 22 in 2002, and 25 in 2003 and the number of spills keep going up. I wanted to ask the Minister if he could explain the relationship between the Department of Transportation and the Department of RWED when dangerous goods are spilled. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 543-15(3): Inspectors For Transportation Of Dangerous Goods

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it’s a coincidence I guess that I’ll be tabling the dangerous goods report today, as in the report it shows that we have a reduction in the number of spills. This report indicates that in 2004 we had 16 spills reported and responsibilities in the area of dangerous goods falls across a number of different departments and also the federal government. If it is on the truck on the road, there is a responsibility under our act for the Department of Transportation. If it is in a tank in the community, then it belongs to the community government and I guess also MACA. If it’s spilt on the ground, then it’s RWED’s responsibility. So there are a number of jurisdictions involved and we try to work to coordinate all of these. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Final supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 543-15(3): Inspectors For Transportation Of Dangerous Goods

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister, if his department has this information, advise on what types of dangerous goods and the sizes of loads that are going through the streets of Yellowknife? I brought up the issue of public safety. Does his department have that type of information on the amount of dangerous goods traveling through the streets of Yellowknife? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 543-15(3): Inspectors For Transportation Of Dangerous Goods

Mr. Speaker, I can’t say with any great certainty if we have the actual numbers that flow through the city of Yellowknife. I’d have to check to see if we have that information. I’m sure we have some indicators. Our information is gathered at the weigh scales and it’s at those locations that the trucks are inspected and checked for safety and for what their contents are and if they are following all the regulations. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will commit to following up and if we have that information, I will certainly provide it. Thank you.