Debates of October 18, 2022 (day 122)

Date
October
18
2022
Session
19th Assembly, 2nd Session
Day
122
Members Present
Hon. Diane Archie, Hon. Frederick Blake Jr., Mr. Bonnetrouge, Hon. Paulie Chinna, Hon. Caroline Cochrane, Mr. Edjericon, Hon. Julie Green, Mr. Jacobson, Mr. Johnson, Ms. Nokleby, Mr. O'Reilly, Ms. Semmler, Hon. R.J. Simpson, Mr. Rocky Simpson, Hon. Shane Thompson, Hon. Caroline Wawzonek, Ms. Weyallon-Armstrong.
Topics
Statements

Question 1184-19(2): Barging Services to Nunakput Communities

Thank you, Mr. Speaker I'm bringing up again that barging in Nunakput how we I wouldn't say how we failed but how we're working together to try to provide service. You know, like I told you in my Member's statement earlier today that all of our the people that were having to fly in goods, groceries and the young families having to fly Pampers in and that into Paulatuk and Ulukhaktok, Mr. Speaker, is there any way that we could work together with them if they brought receipts back from that certain timeframe, would the Minister be able to entertain that we'd be able to help them in refunds from MTS? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Member for Nunakput. Minister responsible for Infrastructure.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, 2022 has been like no other year in the operation of MTS. I mean, we've had many factors, barges being late, buoys being placed a month, weather factors. The list goes on, Mr. Speaker. I hear the Member's concern about working with the residents to try and have a look at some of the stuff that's been brought in and perhaps I mentioned yesterday that we are working on contingency plans. So that will be part of it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. No, I thank the Minister for that. I just want a commitment in regards to being able to hand in a receipt if it's possible to MTS in regards to getting funds back to the constituents as my constituency is the most northerly constituency, and it's highest cost of living besides yours, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, you know what? I've been saying "yes" all week so this is going to be one of those that are probably going to be "no." I can't commit right now, Mr. Speaker. I mean, there's a lot of number of things we need to look at. We are taking responsibility for the goods that are affected by the barge going in. So we are looking after those. To the extent of what means and how much that would cost, that's still underway. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I guess this next week I have my leadership coming down, of my mayors from the communities in regards to the goforward on a barging plan to work with the Minister and the department. I really think that in the talks I think something like this should be brought up anyway. And I just wanted to make sure that we get commitment from our Minister in regards to working together to try to compensate everybody that's been affected. It's not their fault that what happened. And we should be if they had to fly goods in, they should be compensated. And I want the department to think about that and they got a week to think about it because I got my leadership coming down to work together with the government to get this sorted out. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I mentioned to the Member that I would be working with the Member and the residents the leadership, sorry, in Sachs Harbour. So I do want to note that the Department of Infrastructure's undertaking a postseason evaluation. So what that means it would be examining what occurred, what additional mitigation can be considered in the future so we don't have this. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary, Member for Nunakput.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Minister for that. Mr. Speaker, us being, I guess, laid up or tied up, I guess, for the rest of the season, say for instance in Paulatuk, will there be any employment opportunities for security or watching the vessels and stuff like that for community members and because I did get a call from a young man that was looking into something doing something like that to provide that service for MTS; is that possible? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, of course, you know, with all the equipment that is waiting to get in the community, you know, it's our responsibility to be able to ensure that they're kept secure. And that's something that we need to do. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Hay River South.