Debates of October 30, 2024 (day 35)

October
30
2024
Session
20th Assembly, 1st Session
Day
35
Speaker
Shane Thompson
Word PDF
Members Present
1418
Assembly Members
Topics
Bill 11: An Act to Amend the Motor Vehicles Act, Carried
Bill 12: Business Day Statute Law Amendment Act, Carried
Committee Motion 49-20(1): Tabled Document 193-20(1): 2025-2026 Capital Estimates – Industry, Tourism and Investment – Tourism and Parks – Reduce Infrastructure Investments, Defeated
Committee Motion 50-20(1): Tabled Document 193-20(1): 2025-2026 Capital Estimates – Industry, Tourism and Investment – Deferral of Department, Carried
Member’s Statement 398-20(1): Inuvik Marine Bypass Road
Member’s Statement 399-20(1): Report of the Auditor General of Canada to the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly – Stanton Territorial Hospital Renewal Project
Member’s Statement 400-20(1): Extended Health Benefits Changes
Member’s Statement 401-20(1): Norman Wells Economic Concerns
Member’s Statement 402-20(1): Dempster Highway in Summer and Fall Season
Member’s Statement 403-20(1): Report of the Auditor General of Canada to the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly – Stanton Territorial Hospital Renewal Project
Member’s Statement 404-20(1): Deficit Mentality Impacting Financial Deficit
Member’s Statement 405-20(1): Supports for Northwest Territories Residents Experiencing Fertility Issues
Member’s Statement 406-20(1): Health Promotion in Small Communities
Member’s Statement 407-20(1): Food Insecurity
Member’s Statement 408-20(1): Supporting Youth with Autism
Member’s Statement 409-20(1): Pat Rowe Memorial Golf Tournament
Minister’s Statement 78-20(1): Northwest Territories Supply Chain Challenges and Solutions
Minister’s Statement 79-20(1): Update on Education Act Modernization
Minister’s Statement 80-20(1): National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence
Motion 45–20(1): Extended Adjournment of the House to February 5, 2025
Question 386-20(1): Old Stanton Building Decision-Making
Question 387-20(1): Correctional Centre in Fort Smith
Question 388-20(1): Primary Care Teams
Question 389-20(1): Expansion of School Lunch Program
Question 390-20(1): Health Promotion in Communities
Question 391-20(1): Education Security Presentations in Sahtu
Question 392-20(1): Paving the Inuvik Bypass Road
Question 393-20(1): Extended Health Benefits Applicants Payment Plans
Question 394-20(1): Dempster Highway Conditions
Question 395-20(1): Families with Adopted Children
Question 396-20(1): Approvals in the Public Service
Question 397-20(1): Overdose-Related RCMP Calls
Question 398-20(1): Physician Workforce Plan
Tabled Document 215-20(1): NWT Carbon Tax Report 2023-2024
Tabled Document 217-20(1): United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Action Plan Committee Annual Report, August 2024
Statements

Member’s Statement 402-20(1): Dempster Highway in Summer and Fall Season

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to address the condition of the Dempster Highway during the summer and fall season. The portion of the highway that I am referring to is between Wrangling River and Inuvik. This portion of highway has never been this bad before. I have been receiving calls, text messages, on a daily basis from concerned residents from all over the Beaufort Delta region.

Mr. Speaker, I've driven the Dempster Highway for many years, and I can attest the concerns of the residents of the Beaufort Delta when they state that they have never seen this highway in such bad condition. I had to go to Inuvik to catch a plane bound for Yellowknife. Even though we left at 9 o'clock in the morning, we just made the plane at 1 p.m. The cab driver was driving at a speed of 40 kilometers an hour because it was so rough. I have seen vehicles driving on the wrong side of the road just to avoid the potholes and rougher portions of the highway.

Mr. Speaker, I received calls from contractors stating that they have encountered many unexpected expenses during this time in question. A contractor from Tsiigehtchic had to send two of his vehicles down south because of damage to his vehicles. This has cost time and money to his business; time and money he will never get back. Other residents stated that they have unforeseen wreckage to their vehicles, the tires and rims. Tourists were posting pictures of the damage that they have encountered while driving this portion of the highway.

Mr. Speaker, in past years the contractors have been taking pride in maintaining the highway from the NWT Yukon border to the Arctic Ocean, and they have been complimented on the excellent work they do. But for some reason, this year has been quite different and dangerous for the users of this portion of the Dempster Highway. I will have questions for the Minister of Infrastructure at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Member from Mackenzie Delta. Members' statements. Member from Monfwi.