Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My Member's statement today was for the Minister of Infrastructure regarding safety of my constituents in Sachs Harbour and the runway and making sure that they are getting service for their food and mail. Mr. Speaker, the maintenance plan work for Sachs Harbour was in 2018, and then this February, it was announced again. Is this additional work? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Nunakput. Minister of Infrastructure.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We are currently working on the drainage issue on the runway in Sachs Harbour. The snow is being removed to clear the packed snow from the edges of the runway. We did experience some maintenance issues and have sent a mechanic and parts to resolve the situation. I am not sure at this time if this work is part of the original plan for the airport or the runway. However, I would say, if this is causing the problem that it's causing right now, it's a good chance that this has been an ongoing issue for years; it would not have just started at this point. I would hope that it is in the plan to be addressed in Sachs Harbour. I will commit, Mr. Speaker, to get back to the Member and confirm that it is in the plan, and if it is not in the plan, it will be added to the plan. Thank you.
Thank you, Madam Minister, for that reply. I really look forward to that because the safety of my constituents is a priority. Like I said earlier in my statement, we cannot land a King Air 350 for the medevac plane. That is what they use in the delta. They are using a Twin Otter, which is being brought in. Safety is the biggest thing for myself and making sure the service is being provided. Mr. Speaker, that being said, the work was not done in 2018. I know that was not the Minister of the day, but what is the cause of the delay?
Without having been the Minister in 2018, I am not sure what the cause has been for the delay. I agree wholeheartedly with the Member that the safety and well-being of the people of Sachs Harbour is of critical importance. I commit to looking into it after we get out of session today, that we are currently in now, looking into whether or not the situation with the medevacs has been impeded. It is my understanding that we are working with my colleagues at Health and Social Services to ensure that we do have that reply and the medevac services maintained. It's my understanding we may be using a more expensive aircraft as a result, so obviously, as a good fiscal planner, I would like to see that rectified as soon as possible.
I thank you, again, Madam Minister, for that. I just want to make sure that if and when the work is scheduled to take place this summer or as soon as possible for the drainage of both sides of the runway, to make sure that we get that done this summer for a priority, in putting Sachs Harbour as a priority on the Minister's table, to get it done this summer.
Yes, the plan is to do the work on the runway this summer. I have not been made aware of any issues regarding COVID-19 impacts to delay this project, so my department will be planning to do so. We have sent a GNWT charter with a mechanic there at this point and parts to fix the issue that we have been having. We are sending the excavator there to fix the issue at this point, to get it so that it's working for now, and then we will take care of the permanent solutions this summer.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Nunakput.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just again, the Minister's assurance she will keep me informed so I can keep my constituents and my leadership in Sachs Harbour informed on what's the plan when they do come up with one, to make sure it's sent to me and my local leadership. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Yes, I commit to keeping the Member informed, and I am sure the Member will let me know if I am not. Thank you.
Thank you. Oral questions. Member for Thebacha.
