Debates of March 9, 2005 (day 52)

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 579-15(3): Oil And Gas Positions For The Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’ve talked about the nature in past questioning of our minerals, oil and gas unit here at headquarters. The reality is that we have three dedicated positions to oil and gas. One is a term position that is being used to help us navigate our way through the NEB intervention and process that’s underway and the other two are some that we have. One has been just recently filled, but the fact of the matter is we don’t have enough resources, we are spread too thin, we do need some coordination resources here at headquarters, notwithstanding the fact that we obviously need support on the ground in Inuvik. So my approach is going to be to come forward with a strategy to add to our resources, not to further stave off already very limited manpower in the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

Supplementary To Question 579-15(3): Oil And Gas Positions For The Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I said that I heard the number of 20 positions before and in my statement I kind of accounted for six of them. Where are the other 14? Are they here in Yellowknife?

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 579-15(3): Oil And Gas Positions For The Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d have to go back and look at my earlier response, but in terms of people that have some aspect of their job related to the Mackenzie Valley pipeline or the Mackenzie gas project, I would think there are at least 20 people. We know we have regional petroleum advisors, one in Inuvik. We have other positions in RWED related to environment or business development that support a pipeline and support resource development. We know we have positions in MACA that work to develop community capacity. They are also being dispatched to help our effort to work on this file. Education has resources, I believe. I know that Housing is working on this file. So you could look at many of the people we have employed in our government and find aspects of their job where there are duties that are currently related to meeting our development pressures. That would go much higher than 20; the dedicated resources I’ve spoken to in terms of pipeline. The obvious seven positions that we have yet to fill in Hay River would be another contingent of staff that we have. So they are spread out throughout government and I’m certainly prepared to get those specific numbers for the Member and we have started that task and will be providing that information shortly. Thank you.

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

Supplementary To Question 579-15(3): Oil And Gas Positions For The Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister has said that he was looking at his options and he was going to be preparing a report. Would I be able to get a copy of this report? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 579-15(3): Oil And Gas Positions For The Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I’ve indicated, it’s my intention to come to the Governance and Economic Development committee and, obviously, I think that committee will want to involve all Members in that and I can personally make sure that the Member has a copy of that work as we get there. As I’ve said, right now I’m hoping almost immediately to go to Cabinet with a conceptual approach and a strategy and as we firm this up in the coming weeks, I’ll sit down with the Member personally and we’ll certainly go to GED with this work. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. I’d like to ask the Minister why are my constituents having difficulty obtaining land leases for Commissioner’s land and Crown land in the Tlicho communities. Thank you.

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

Return To Question 580-15(3): Land Leases On Tlicho Lands

Mr. Speaker, I was not aware that there was a problem in the Dogrib region regarding land leases. We are, however, having some discussions with the Dogrib Treaty 11 Council along with the Government of Canada and Municipal and Community Affairs and Aboriginal Affairs to discuss and lay out a plan for the transition of land, land administration and how to deal with the elections and a number of other issues. We have an effective date of August 4th to work toward. However, I was not aware that there was a problem. There was an issue that was brought forward from the Member. I believe that was an issue regarding federal land. If there is an issue regarding land and leases, I would certainly like to know about it. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Supplementary, Mr. Zoe.

Supplementary To Question 580-15(3): Land Leases On Tlicho Lands

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If that’s the case, as the Minister indicated that they are working on a transitional plan in regard to land issues, then my constituents shouldn’t be having any problems obtaining Crown land leases in the Tlicho communities or even land reserved for Indians for housing, which is Crown land. So even the Indian Affairs department that deals with land leases should be continuing to use the same process as we have before. Is that the case that the Minister is indicating to me? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Zoe. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 580-15(3): Land Leases On Tlicho Lands

That’s right, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there should be no glitch in the system. We are expecting a smooth transition. We would have to talk to the federal government though to see what their position is during this transition period. There may be some reluctance to transfer land over as we are now in this situation where there is a land claim and a self-government settlement. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Supplementary, Mr. Zoe.

Supplementary To Question 580-15(3): Land Leases On Tlicho Lands

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wonder if I could ask the Minister if he could kindly intervene with the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs in their lands section to make sure that my constituent’s land lease can go through, although they may be in a transitional phase. The reason I am saying that, Mr. Speaker, is that we’re in critical need of housing in our communities and there are a number of clients that require these leases not only for obtaining housing from the Housing Corporation, but there are some other clients that need their land leases to obtain funding from the banks to do additions to their houses, et cetera, for other programs. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Zoe. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 580-15(3): Land Leases On Tlicho Lands

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I certainly want to thank the Member for bringing this to our attention and we will commit to having a meeting with the federal government and all the players, all the stakeholders involved on this issue. We certainly don’t want to see a blockage of properties moving forward. There is a need for housing development, as the Member has stated. So we will work towards ensuring that this is as smooth a transition as possible. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Supplementary, Mr. Zoe.

Supplementary To Question 580-15(3): Land Leases On Tlicho Lands

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can I ask the Minister how soon can I have word back from his office pertaining to this issue? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Zoe. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 580-15(3): Land Leases On Tlicho Lands

Mr. Speaker, we can deal with the specific issue if there is a particular person that needs attention. If that name could be brought to our attention, we can probably deal with that fairly quickly. The larger, broader issue of transition and how we’re going to see that process develop and unfold is something we’re working on. We have some meetings planned for this month and there are a number of issues that we have to develop, but we will place priority on ensuring the land transition is done in a smooth and effective manner and people can still access properties. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Today my questions are for the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation, with the issue of exploring the use of log homes or doing pilot projects for log homes. I know that historically, even recently, that the log homes have been very expensive and recently someone asked me about the squared log homes where they are squared on three sides. They went up rather quickly, they seemed relatively cheap. Has the corporation done some research with the squared log home construction? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Mr. Krutko.

Return To Question 581-15(3): Squared Log Home Potential

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have been doing pilot projects in different communities with log construction. We do have a program in regard to log homes. But because we’ve had problems in the past with structural problems with two-story units, we’re now recommending that if anyone is going to get into log construction, that they keep it a single floor construction because there is shifting, which is causing problems. But we do have those types of programs. We’ve done pilot projects in the different communities on log construction. So we are open to looking at those types of proposals.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Your supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Supplementary To Question 581-15(3): Squared Log Home Potential

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Has the corporation done any research into the squared log homes? I go visit the small communities in my riding and many of the older homes, in excess of 50 years that are sitting there, are squared log homes. At one time it used to be standard to build squared log home buildings. So there must be some research by the Housing Corporation done in this area. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Krutko.

Further Return To Question 581-15(3): Squared Log Home Potential

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I stated to the Member, we are open to pilot projects, if he can come up with the idea in regard to these square logs for home construction. We are hoping to use more of our northern products such as our trees for home construction. I think that we do have to work with communities and, as he stated, the homes have been built in the past and it is proven that you can construct homes with logs in the North. So it is something that we are definitely open to. So again, I’d just like to suggest to the Member if he could maybe come forward with some sort of a proposal for the community that he is talking about, we are open to look at that through a pilot project in regard to these log initiatives that we do have through the corporation. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Supplementary To Question 581-15(3): Squared Log Home Potential

Mr. Speaker, I’m glad to hear that the Minister is willing to continue to entertain proposals with regard to log home construction and I know in the past there were some cost barriers. Would all the proposals be open, or is there a restriction to the type of building they would like because it sounded like the Minister is opposed to maybe a two-story construction? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Krutko.

Further Return To Question 581-15(3): Squared Log Home Potential

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, like I stated, we do have a log housing initiative that is a policy within the Housing Corporation. So under that program we see any log homes being constructed that sort of follow the criteria of that initiative, because we have had problems in the past with construction of two-story facilities because of the shifting of the ground and also the logs not settling right. Because of that through, this new initiative we have basically directed people that want to build log homes that there are certain criteria they should follow. So if the Member would like, I can give him a copy of the log housing initiative that we do have so he can see what’s in the guidelines in that program. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Final supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Supplementary To Question 581-15(3): Squared Log Home Potential

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I kind of like that the Minister is still willing to look at log home construction and that there’s no known policy that they’re not going to be looking at that. Just one more time for the record, Mr. Speaker, if the Minister can tell this Assembly that the corporation is still willing to engage and do pilot projects and build log homes in our communities. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Krutko.

Further Return To Question 581-15(3): Squared Log Home Potential

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, again, for the record, we are supportive of log home construction in the North. We do have a log housing initiative policy program and we have those pilot projects in communities to do that. So we are open to pilot projects and also to ensure that we do have log home construction. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there’s a song that goes something like this: you can’t roller skate in a buffalo herd, you can’t roller skate in a buffalo herd. However, I think the song could be more appropriate in the Sahtu. You can’t roller skate in a goat herd, you can’t roller skate in a goat herd and the emphasis I want to put on, Mr. Speaker, is roller skating. I want to ask the Minister of Transportation, in the Sahtu region, after the construction of all the bridges, when will they start on an all-weather road into the Sahtu from Wrigley up to Tuktoyaktuk? When will that be constructed? Thank you.

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

Return To Question 582-15(3): New Roads In The Sahtu

Thank you. I’d like to compliment the Member on his singing capabilities. Mr. Speaker, I guess the answer is very obvious. The construction of new roads still lies under the responsibility of the federal government and we’ll build these new roads as soon as we access the dollars from them and have that commitment. We have put together a number of proposals over the years to access some dollars. We plan to do that again and we continue to put investment in the Mackenzie Valley winter road. We have done a considerable amount of work in the last few years and we plan to do a lot more. We plan to do all the bridging by the year 2009, that’s including the Bear River Bridge.

Good government.

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Moving that forward would increase the season by a number of weeks and we have to still remember that it’s classified as a winter road. The trucks that operate on this winter road still use chains; they are obligated to use chains. So it’s really going to need commitment from the federal government, and we commit to doing the lobbying on that front and, again, I guess the short answer would be to have the federal government commit to it and that’s where we’re at. Thank you.

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

Supplementary To Question 582-15(3): New Roads In The Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to say I’m appreciative and the people of the Sahtu appreciate the amount of dollars that have gone into the winter road. With the announcement that came out on the 18th of January of this year with the Minister and the federal Minister in terms of Corridors for Canada, Mr. Speaker, I wanted to ask the Minister that last time they took $1 million out of our winter bridging project and I’m looking for some kind of commitment from this Minister that he won’t cut back this program any further. Thank you.