Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier I spoke about the Ulukhaktok arena closure. My questions are for the Minister of MACA. Mr. Speaker, my first question is: what is the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs doing to assist Ulukhaktok with their remediation of its arena? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs.
Yes, thanks, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in the fall of 2015, the Hamlet of Ulukhaktok identified mould issues in their arena facility. They had arrangements with the consulting company on an existing project in the community, and while they were there, they engaged them to help them deal with the mould, so they have done that. A regional office, we were in communication with them. We were comfortable with the approach that they were taking, so we left that with them. As to what MACA is doing to help the system, we provide the community infrastructure funding that they are able to utilize, but at the end of the day, the community of Ulukhaktok took ownership of this, and they took steps to ensure that it was dealt with. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, my second question to the Minister is, and I appreciate the answer, my question is: has the department reviewed the consultant's report and discussed the issues with the Hamlet of Ulukhaktok, and what are the costs associated with the remediation?
Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have not reviewed the consultant's report. Again, that was a decision that was made by the community of Ulukhaktok, and if they had any questions or if they needed any assistance, then all they have to do is call our office and we will provide whatever assistance we can. But a shout out to the community of Ulukhaktok for taking ownership in this and dealing with it. We make our people available to them for any type of advice or technical assistance we can provide. As to what the actual cost is of the remediation, Mr. Speaker, my understanding is public tender was led for the remediation work through the Hamlet of Ulukhaktok with a consulting company they are working with, and the tenders are actually closing on Friday, June 10th. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I thank the Minister for that answer. The importance of having recreation activities, especially far up north in small communities is very important, especially in the isolated areas that we live in. My region is furthest north in the territory and the impacts are native in very many ways. Mr. Speaker, my final question: will the Minister commit to assist the hamlet council to address this issue so that the people of Ulukhaktok will be skating and curling this fall?
Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs.
Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I take the Member's point. We know the recreational facilities are very important to a lot of smaller communities, and I know a community like Ulukhaktok utilizes their facility quite often. We will make ourselves available to the community of Ulukhaktok should they seek any advice. They are managing the issue. They are managing the project. They are providing our regional office with key milestone times throughout the project, and my understanding is the work is expected to be completed in this summer and fall, so they should be open for the winter season.
