Debates of May 16, 2007 (day 8)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Transportation as well to follow up with my Member’s statement. In a previous session, I raised the issue of the road through the Tlicho into the North to hook up with the mines. At that time, the Minister committed to meet with the grand chief to discuss this issue. I would like to ask the Minister if he could update this House on the outcome of those meetings with the grand chief. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The honourable Minister responsible for Transportation, Mr. Menicoche.

Return To Question 91-15(6): All-Weather Road System In The Tlicho Region

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, indeed, we did have time to meet the grand chief and the leadership of the Tlicho region last month. It is an initial meeting and we are in agreement that we will move forward with looking at the improved access for the Tlicho region and its communities. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Supplementary To Question 91-15(6): All-Weather Road System In The Tlicho Region

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister indicated that that is an initial meeting, so I can only assume that there are going to be subsequent meetings to that. I would like to ask the Minister when those meetings are planned and if he is going to talk about the road through the North Slave. Would he also be prepared to talk and meet with the leadership about the access roads referenced by my colleague from Behchoko?

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Mr. Menicoche.

Further Return To Question 91-15(6): All-Weather Road System In The Tlicho Region

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Absolutely, discussing the access roads and the maintenance of it is an issue that certainly can be discussed the next time that we do meet with the Tlicho grand chief and the leadership. As well, I think the expectation is to be sometime at the end of June or towards the end of June to meet with regard to the Tlicho road studies. It is still early. We haven’t even gotten out there to do some preliminary work just to discuss the particular overland routes to be chosen, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Supplementary To Question 91-15(6): All-Weather Road System In The Tlicho Region

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister, as well, whether there will be a reference to this particular option when we look at the all-weather access into the North Slave. Will that be built into the 2008-09 business plans that will be ready for the incoming 16th Assembly? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Mr. Menicoche.

Further Return To Question 91-15(6): All-Weather Road System In The Tlicho Region

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Having a submission prepared for 2008-09 business plans hinges on the study that we are about to conduct here. I am not too sure how much work has been done in 2008-09 or the timing that we want this road completed. As well, with the expectation of new roads, we expect federal contribution involvement, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

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

Supplementary To Question 91-15(6): All-Weather Road System In The Tlicho Region

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, recognizing that these types of initiatives that are fairly complex and have a number of options to be investigated and developed, there are always timing, money and investigation money required. On that basis, will there be some dollars built in to further explore this issue? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Mr. Menicoche.

Further Return To Question 91-15(6): All-Weather Road System In The Tlicho Region

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Currently, with the federal contribution of $400,000 and a contribution from our government, we are approaching about $1 million for the study alone. It will examine all the areas that the Member was discussing this afternoon, Mr. Speaker. Mahsi.