Debates of November 30, 2007 (day 6)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this is in response to the Minister’s answering my questions before. He said that it’s not moving, so it’s not costing us anything. If that’s the case, then there’s a lot of things within the government not moving, but they’re costing us something.

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I would like to ask the Minister, and maybe I should rephrase my question. Obviously there was a cost to transporting this piece of equipment to James Creek, 150 kilometres away. Is the Minister aware of the cost of transporting it from Tsiigehtchic on the Dempster to James Creek, 150 kilometres away? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Minister responsible for Transportation, Mr. Yakeleya.

Return To Question 94-16(1): Ice Road Construction Equipment Storage At James Creek

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to say to the Member from Twin Lakes I apologize for not being very clear on this question. I will look at the issue in terms of what it costs the department to move it over to James Creek, and what it’s costing us to have it there, and what it would cost if we were to move it to another location that would be satisfactory to him and other members of the Mackenzie Delta.

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

Supplementary To Question 94-16(1): Ice Road Construction Equipment Storage At James Creek

Thank you. I thank the Minister for that. I’d like to ask the Minister if he is aware of the last time that this piece of machinery has been used. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Yakeleya.

Further Return To Question 94-16(1): Ice Road Construction Equipment Storage At James Creek

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my discussions with the department, I’ve been told that this machine was used at the Mackenzie crossing, in terms of experimental project, and that it was used only the one time. However, if he needs the specific dates and times, I certainly will go into sending that over to the Member for him for his review.

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

Supplementary To Question 94-16(1): Ice Road Construction Equipment Storage At James Creek

Well, I appreciate the Minister’s answer and I would like to say that I spoke with someone who had an opportunity to use the machine and said that the machine worked beautifully and it did the job that it was supposed to do. It sped up the opportunity to get goods and services to the Beaufort-Delta. I would like to ask the Minister, who made the decision to not use that machine again and store it at James Creek? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Yakeleya.

Further Return To Question 94-16(1): Ice Road Construction Equipment Storage At James Creek

Thank you for the specific decisions there. Mr. Speaker, I would get that to the Member. It’s my understanding that he knows that I’ve also come from areas that have this kind of concern and that’s certainly something that I’d be happy to talk with the Member about. This certainly does raise some questions; however, I will provide that information to the Member when I can get it from the department.

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

Supplementary To Question 94-16(1): Ice Road Construction Equipment Storage At James Creek

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the Minister’s answers to my questions. I would also like him to undertake to find out why the machine is not stored at the Transportation yard at the Mackenzie ice crossing in Tsiigehtchic. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Yakeleya.

Further Return To Question 94-16(1): Ice Road Construction Equipment Storage At James Creek

I’ll certainly get the information for the Member, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’ll certainly again ask the Member from Twin Lakes that I certainly want to work on this issue. It’s an important issue, I know, for the people in the Mackenzie Delta. It’s something that I’ll bring up with the department in terms of a list of priorities of our infrastructure needs and across the Northwest Territories.