Debates of October 30, 2024 (day 35)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are in reference to my Member's statement with the highway, summer and fall. What were some of the factors that caused the deterioration of the Dempster Highway between Wrangling River and Inuvik this summer and early fall? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Member from Mackenzie Delta. Minister of Infrastructure.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it has been a tough year -- or a tough season for a lot of the roads in the Northwest Territories, including this stretch of particular highway. There were some challenges this year with maintenance, Mr. Speaker. One of the contracts that had gone out -- it went out, and there was a request for a negotiated contract. That slowed down the procurement process. We were able to ask the existing contractor to continue to maintain the road but certainly not the same as having someone in place more permanently. So although the work was getting done, it wasn't getting done perhaps with the same frequency that it would otherwise, so add to that some snowfall and -- or sorry, some early snowfall and some wet conditions and it certainly made things a little more difficult. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. What contingency plans, if any, have been put in place to address similar situations in the future? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we do have the relevant contracts now awarded and that will provide more consistency in terms of the maintenance that is occurring in that region. Mr. Speaker, there's also some particular contracts related to larger scale repair work, for example dip repair right at the crossing, so -- and along with a number of other projects. And, again, a couple of them certainly did get delayed over this summer season but I can say, again, that those are now awarded. And what I'd suggest with respect to contingency is ensuring that there's a wider degree of overlap in terms of the timing of when contracts come due for the maintenance so that we don't wind up in a situation where there's any gap in time or any reduced services. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the past, I suggested that major maintenance be conducted during the seasonal closure of the highway when there's less traffic and all maintenance can be completed, including dust control. Has this option ever been considered? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would have to look back over time and see the degree to which that has been considered but also whether or not that impacts any of the work that's happening. As I've said, for right now the work that is coming through in terms of some of the repair of potholes and ruts that have arisen over the course of the summer, that is getting dealt with as much as possible before too much snowfall. And with the snowfall, they are doing what they can to, you know, still monitor and do some ice blading, some snow plowing, to try to mitigate where there were some tough spots. So, again, happy to take that back, Mr. Speaker, and see whether it's been considered or whether it can be something that can be implemented. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister of Infrastructure. Final supplementary. Member from Mackenzie Delta.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Are there any indicators from recent activities, or lack of activities, where you feel the government should take back the responsibility of the infrastructure throughout the NWT? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, a lot of the -- in fact, I would venture to say most -- the vast majority of our roads are maintained by contractors, third-party contractors, and not by -- directly by operators in the GNWT's employ. And, Mr. Speaker, yes, we can certainly always look to optimize that we are doing the best we can, so perhaps what I'll do is take that away and just have a direct conversation with the MLA to see whether or not there may be particular stretches, particular contracts, particular areas, that need another look and I'm certainly happy to have that conversation to make sure that we are serving the community. Thank you.

Minister of Infrastructure. Oral questions. Member from Range Lake.