Debates of May 16, 2007 (day 8)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier in my Member’s statement today, I talked about the issuance of a driver’s licence. In a larger community, it is pretty simple to go into the office and write their exam and road test, but the example I gave is in Paulatuk where a few residents have to fly to Inuvik just to write and get their road test to get their driver’s licence so that they can find employment, especially with the hamlets. I would like to ask the Minister of Transportation on whether these people that travel to Inuvik at their own expense for accommodation, for the airfare and for meals, to see if the department can reimburse these individuals once I give him the names. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Return To Question 98-15(6): Driver’s Licensing Services In Small Communities

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The short answer is no for the honourable Member, Mr. Speaker. But I can commit to follow up with the community to see if we can alleviate those concerns about the best way to issue driver’s licences and getting driver’s tests done in that community. One of the ways of doing it, of course, is to set up a schedule to go into the community as long as everybody is aware when the driver examiner is coming. I know that some licences expire, but there is a grace period. But with enough planning, we should be able to address some of those concerns, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Supplementary, Mr. Pokiak.

Supplementary To Question 98-15(6): Driver’s Licensing Services In Small Communities

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank the Minister for that, but I still think, Mr. Speaker, that these people looking for employment in the local hamlet of Paulatuk, in order for them to find work, like I said earlier, they have to travel to Inuvik to get that done. Had the department been able to send someone to Paulatuk, they wouldn’t have to pay the cost of flying to Inuvik, so I understand when the Minister said no, but can he at least look at…If I can give the names to the Minister at this point in time, will he at least contact these individuals and see what kind of reimbursement they can get for their travel expenses? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Pokiak. Mr. Menicoche.

Further Return To Question 98-15(6): Driver’s Licensing Services In Small Communities

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We do not have any program for reimbursing people to get their driver’s licences re-issued but, once again, Mr. Speaker, we are willing to look at the community of Paulatuk to go in there and discuss their needs with them. We do not, of course, have an issuing system in all of our communities in the North, but we are planning to provide support to the outlying communities and to deal with systems that the driver examiner and our department, what is the best way we can alleviate the concerns in the communities and getting people driver’s licences so they can get to work. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Supplementary, Mr. Pokiak.

Supplementary To Question 98-15(6): Driver’s Licensing Services In Small Communities

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would just like to follow up with the Minister. Can the Minister direct his department in Inuvik at least to try to make a scheduled service to these communities, not only Paulatuk but to Sachs Harbour and Ulukhaktok? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Pokiak. Mr. Menicoche.

Further Return To Question 98-15(6): Driver’s Licensing Services In Small Communities

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Certainly, part of our plan is to support all outlying communities that do not have access to the issuing agents and driver’s examiners. We are undertaking studies of a portable system which a driver examiner can bring into these smaller remote communities, as well as setting up a detailed or a consistent schedule to visit the communities will be part of the solution. Mahsi.