Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of ITI, and interestingly enough, it’s on bathroom facilities.
On our highway system on Highway No. 1, ITI provides at the pullover stops the safety cabins and washrooms. There are indications that they’re all run down now and they’re kind of unsightly. I’m just wondering if there’s a plan to replace them in the next little while.
Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, Mr. Bob McLeod.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I recognize that the NWT highway system has long stretches of road without communities or other identifying points of interest in between. We work very closely with the Department of Transportation so that our travelling public and tourists that come up here can have points of interest identified to them and we can make stops available to them when nature calls — also that they can stop safely. We’re working with the Department of Transportation so that we can strategically identify and place pullouts. As funding becomes available, we can put in place rest stops and other facilities.
The roadside pullouts and those rest stops are existing, but some of them are the outdoor type. The Minister didn’t really identify when they’re going to replace them. Should they be replaced? Can they look at the more sanitary style, the more modern stucco style or the cisterns?
Mr. Speaker, we do have some rest stop facilities. Where it becomes difficult is that some of them are located quite far away from communities. Generally we make arrangements with either a contractor or the Department of Transportation. Those are the arrangements we have in place, and as we progress with our plan, we could look at better and more effective ways to have these facilities.
Once again I’d just like to ask the Minister if they can develop a plan to replace the toilets. Some of our campgrounds, too, are distant, and maybe they can do some cost savings. Instead of going out there with the sewer trucks, they can stop at the roadside pullouts.
We would look at that where it’s feasible. I know that in some instances we do have sewage pickup. I don’t know how feasible it is if they have to travel long distances to go to a campsite, but we’re prepared to look at that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
