Debates of November 30, 2007 (day 6)

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to return to oral questions. Are there any nays? There are no nays. We will return to oral questions. Before we do, the chair is going to call a break.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Deh Cho Bridge has been a topic of much debate the last few days and I believe the November 30th date was to be a very important and critical date. I would like to know if the Minister of Transportation could give us an update on the status of the Deh Cho Bridge project to find out where it sits. Thank you.

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

Return To Question 86-16(1): Deh Cho Bridge Project Update

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this morning I was notified and am happy to report to the House that I heard from the president of the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation, Mr. Michael Vandell. We were advised the last couple of hours by Transport Canada that their navigable waters to construct the Deh Cho Bridge across the Mackenzie River was approved by the navigable waters protection office of Transport Canada. This is good news for the Northwest Territories. Now the corporation can close the financial arrangements under the public/private partnership and make preparations to begin construction on the long-awaited Deh Cho Bridge.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 86-16(1): Deh Cho Bridge Project Update

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have always, in principle, been a big supporter of the Deh Cho Bridge project. I think it’s a good project. Mr. Speaker, there were a lot of problems associated with this project and, as I understand it, there were still 12 outstanding issues. If the Minister is not prepared to give me an answer on every single one of those 12 issues that are still outstanding today, will he provide Members details on every one of those issues and how we are remedying them in the next few days? Can he provide that by the end of next week? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Yakeleya.

Further Return To Question 86-16(1): Deh Cho Bridge Project Update

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to, first of all, congratulate the people of the aboriginal corporations in Fort Providence, the Metis, the band, the hamlet, the people in Fort Providence and the people of the Deh Cho, the Deh Cho Corporation also, and the GNWT department staff in terms of making an historical agreement that would see a project like this be very successful in the Northwest Territories. Once we have done our work in terms of working it out with the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation in terms of some of the 12 outstanding issues, we would certainly be happy to share that with the Members.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 86-16(1): Deh Cho Bridge Project Update

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the people concerned about the 12 outstanding issues I don’t think are in any way concerned about the bridge in principle. It is more about the nuts and bolts of this agreement to make sure it is online and on track. So, Mr. Speaker, I heard the willingness of the Minister to provide this. I just want to get some timelines on when we can actually see this document in front of us so we can really understand the fullness of what has been fully committed to this project. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Yakeleya.

Further Return To Question 86-16(1): Deh Cho Bridge Project Update

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, certainly, once we have arranged our discussions and some final discussions with the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation, our staff, this government on this side here, then we would produce the concession agreement for the Members here. I cannot say right now as to when those timelines would be stated as we still need to meet with the bridge corporation and work on some of those issues that would see a conclusion to this concession agreement.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have heard a lot in regards to the Prime Minister’s announcement in regards to the Throne speech in regards to Arctic sovereignty and also looking at more military presence dealing with the many challenges seen by way of ships travelling back and forth. But yet, Mr. Speaker, we have heard very little on behalf of this government on exactly where we stand in regards to Arctic sovereignty, and yet, Mr. Speaker, the Arctic is our home, it is our territory, but yet we have not really responded on it. Mr. Speaker, the residents of Aklavik travel back and forth between Alaska to visit relatives and whatnot. But yet, Mr. Speaker, these are our eyes and ears on the ground. These people are already out there. They travel back and forth between Alaska and Canada, but yet we are not really using them. We have the Rangers program. I think, as a government, we have to start using that. I would like to ask the Premier, exactly are we in communication with the federal government when it comes to Arctic sovereignty in regards to how the federal government can include us in any discussions on Arctic sovereignty in regards to the residents of the Northwest Territories?

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Premier, Mr. Roland.

Return To Question 87-16(1): Arctic Sovereignty Matters

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the area of Arctic sovereignty is of great interest to us here in the Northwest Territories. In my brief discussion with the Prime Minister, I referenced the Throne speech. It is good to hear that the Arctic is playing such a prominent role in it. I look forward to working with his government in coming up with how we can be a part of dealing with Arctic sovereignty. In other areas, I have also mentioned that Arctic sovereignty, we are here, we are living here. One of the things they can do is support us in securing the sovereignty piece by helping us with our infrastructure. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Supplementary To Question 87-16(1): Arctic Sovereignty Matters

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I believe it is critical that we, as government, do have a position going forward but, more importantly, realize the importance our communities play and the residents, especially in the Beaufort Sea and Mackenzie Delta have played in regards to the Arctic sovereignty. The threat that we have in the Arctic is coming from Russia in regards to submarine traffic and also in regards to air transport flights over the Arctic. I think it is important that we, as government, do a better job by way of ensuring that the federal government commits to infrastructure to accommodate the residents in our communities, but also, more importantly, make that presence a reality by way of realizing the importance that people play in our communities in regards to being the eyes and ears on the ground. I would like to ask the Premier, exactly have we developed a position dealing with Arctic sovereignty so that we can present something to the federal government?

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 87-16(1): Arctic Sovereignty Matters

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we, as the 16th Assembly, haven’t had opportunity to come up with a proposal as of yet. There is some ongoing work on how we can strengthen our position, what are the key pieces we would like to present as being what we would call solutions to the issue of Arctic sovereignty. A solution is that we are here and we can help the federal government in that area. So we don’t have a proposal yet. There are meetings coming up within the new year that can help us along this way and further discussions about what avenues might be available to us. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Supplementary To Question 87-16(1): Arctic Sovereignty Matters

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I believe that by building a road to the Beaufort Sea is one way that we, as Canada, can show that we do have control of sea to sea to sea, which includes all the portions around Canada, but also developing an Arctic institute by way of either the Inuvik region or…

Do you have a question, Mr. Krutko?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Premier, exactly are we looking at federal funding to help us implement our needs by way of infrastructure needs to push the road to the Arctic and also have an Arctic institute in the Beaufort Sea?

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 87-16(1): Arctic Sovereignty Matters

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as we have highlighted on a number of occasions, core infrastructure for the further development of the Northwest Territories, for our people, for transportation is one of the key pieces we see as we proceed forward. So we will need to continue to work in that area. We are, of course, when it comes to highways, know that it is the federal government’s responsibility, but that shouldn’t stop us from continuing to put the argument forward and look for some solutions as we proceed forward on a number of initiatives. So, yes, we are going to work with the federal government and try to see if there are areas that we can use as we proceed forward in trying to help secure the issue of Arctic sovereignty for the federal government. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Final, short supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Supplementary To Question 87-16(1): Arctic Sovereignty Matters

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in regards to the military side, the Beaufort has played a role in regard to the DEW Line sites, the Inuvik army presence that they had during the 1970s and into the 1980s. I would like to ask the Premier, have we looked at the possibility of a military presence in the Arctic and where they are going to be located? I know there have been a lot of announcements in the Eastern Arctic but very little on the western side. So I would like to ask the Premier, has he also had discussions on military presence in the Arctic and where they are going to be located?

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 87-16(1): Arctic Sovereignty Matters

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have not had discussions on the area of a military presence in the Northwest Territories and where they would be located. We know there is an increased presence. For example, the Forward Operation Location in Inuvik has been busier this last fall and winter than it has in the last number of years. So they have stepped up some of their work and their presence in the Arctic already. We haven’t had any direct discussions about a further enhancement of that area. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister of Transportation if he is able to commit to me today on giving the Hamlet of Paulatuk the capability of issuing driver’s licences and general identification?

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

Return To Question 88-16(1): Motor Vehicles Licensing Office In Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this issue has come up in my discussions with the Member from Nunakput. Certainly, our department is making arrangements to see how best we can serve the community of Paulatuk in terms of this specific issue on the issuing of driver’s licences.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Supplementary, Mr. Jacobson.

Supplementary To Question 88-16(1): Motor Vehicles Licensing Office In Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, that would be easy. It is just entering into a contract with the Hamlet of Paulatuk to provide that service. The people of Paulatuk are taxpayers to the territorial government. It costs $1,100 to go and just to get your driver’s licence renewed. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Jacobson. I am not sure I heard a question there. Mr. Yakeleya.

Further Return To Question 88-16(1): Motor Vehicles Licensing Office In Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Member from Nunakput is also…I come from a region that faces challenges like this. I will be happy to look at that specific issue and work with the Member in terms of how we can serve the people of Paulatuk on this issue.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I have a question for the Minister of Finance. There have been a lot of discussions on this side of the floor of the much needed infrastructure like highways and various public infrastructures in the community. I would like to ask the Minister of Finance if he can provide this Assembly with a fiscal framework for the GNWT prior to the strategic planning session next week.

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. The honourable Minister of Finance, Mr. Roland.

Return To Question 89-16(1): GNWT Fiscal Framework

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we could work at putting that together. That shouldn’t be a problem. One of the things I think we need to look at as an Assembly before we look at a number of situations, I hope that we would set our priorities first and then look at the fiscal environment that we would have to operate in and take those steps. If we go down a path that becomes strictly about numbers, we may not look at opportunities for restructuring or refocusing of how we operate as a government. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Beaulieu.

Supplementary To Question 89-16(1): GNWT Fiscal Framework

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I believe that both the priorities and the fiscal framework should be looked at together. Having said that, can the Minister ensure that, should he be providing the fiscal framework prior to his strategic planning session next week, all leverage dollars be also included in the fiscal framework? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 89-16(1): GNWT Fiscal Framework

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we would be prepared to put our information out there. Our fiscal position, the infrastructure piece of it would be part of that as well as all instruments that we have within our authority. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Beaulieu.

Supplementary To Question 89-16(1): GNWT Fiscal Framework

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in relation to that, can I ask the Minister to also provide us with the most updated five-year infrastructure acquisition plan including all projects that are leveraged?

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 89-16(1): GNWT Fiscal Framework