Date
October
26
2006
Members Present
ITEM 1: PRAYER
Assembly Members
Debates of October 26, 2006 (day 16)
Topics
Statements
Member’s Statement On Tuktoyaktuk Gravel Requirements
Calvin Pokiak
Nunakput
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Before I start, I would like to extend a birthday greeting to my daughter in Nanaimo, B.C. Thank you.
---Applause
Mr. Speaker, my Member’s statement today is about the need for gravel for maintenance of roads, driveways and pads for further development in Tuktoyaktuk. Mr. Speaker, access to gravel sources accessible are only during the winter months, mainly because of the distance and sensitivity of the terrain. We all know, Mr. Speaker, the weather has been extraordinarily warm, which means construction of ice roads to nearby communities will probably be in late December or January, or even later, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, the Tuktoyaktuk Community Planning Committee has identified the need and requirements of outside of the urban centres. The Cabinet and deputy ministers should consider the needs of the communities outside of the centres. The need for gravel for road, water, access services, road access for gravel pads is vital for the communities.
Earlier this week, the Minister of Housing indicated that over the next three years, there will be over 530 units to be constructed in the Northwest Territories and that the department is working with MACA to ensure that lot development will be available. Tuktoyaktuk has the lots available to address their needs right now, Mr. Speaker, but their concerns will not be addressed until they have access to gravel.
By building an access road to source 177, this will address their future development of infrastructure for Tuktoyaktuk. This government, Mr. Speaker, should work with ILA to gain access to gravel source 177, which is only 22 kilometres southeast of Tuktoyaktuk.
Opening up source 177 would address Tuktoyaktuk granular requirements for a number of years. Earlier this year, Mr. Speaker, I requested that the government commence dialogue with the ILA before the proposed construction of the Mackenzie Valley gas pipeline. Has the Department of MACA and Transportation done this to date?
Mr. Speaker, if this government does not address this problem immediately, access to source 177 will be identified by industry for their infrastructure requirements. Mr. Speaker, I urge this government to allocate funds for Tuktoyaktuk for access to granular source 177, so they can plan for today and future developments. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause