Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier in my statement I had mentioned supporting projects there for the small community industry. My first question to the Minister of ITI is: what is this government doing to support the small business, and more specifically in the Sahtu? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I welcome the response. My next question is: will the Minister support an oversight committee? As I mentioned in my previous statements, there's a particular site outside the proven area boundary, so therefore there's a demonstration that oversight is needed outside of the proven area of boundary, which is an obligation to this government. My question is: is the Minister willing to support an oversight committee?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would also like to recognize Rocky Simpson, a business person there from Hay River working hard to provide some homes for my constituents. Thank you.

Moving forward, and to get some commitment so we have land management to address these issues of contamination, is the Minister willing to support, with my invitation, to have a stakeholders meeting here in Yellowknife, at his office?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As mentioned in my Member's statement, my questions will be to the Minister of Lands. My first one here, Mr. Speaker, is: if any, what has the department done on the industrial waste reclamation file for the northern oilfield? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today my Member's statement is on the Esso Norman Wells reclamation. Mr. Speaker, I produced a discussion paper on this industrial land remediation and reclamation issue last September, and the intent of stewardship responsibilities under devolution.

Mr. Speaker, being responsible and proactive would mean setting up an oversight committee and only show to the federal government, a one third shareholder of the oilfield, and the operator that we take these responsibilities very seriously, but also demonstrate to the rest of the NWT residents.

Mr. Speaker, this reclamation...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Minister for that response. It will be particularly good news to the community of Tulita. Tulita, I must say, is the only Sahtu community that does not have year-round gravel. We have not seen, at the community level, expansions of subdivisions or roads or paths. The material has to be imported at a very costly price, I must add. My last question, Mr. Speaker, is: can the Minister also mention and provide to the House here the status of the Canyon Creek all-season road, and also mention when will construction start on that particular project now that...

Thanks to the Minister for that response here; and in the previous, our Premier mentioned that the budget would come out in another two weeks. Mr. Speaker, the Minister noted in his response that the funding submission for the Mackenzie Valley Highway still remains suspended. What is the Department of Transportation doing to advance this project in the meantime?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to discuss or mention previous highlights. A number of events have occurred since our last November session. To highlight and to move on with a few: first of all, the Almod Diamonds presentation to have a polishing facility in Yellowknife was made. Secondly, the purchase of assets from NTCL will ensure deliveries to our Sahtu communities, being three of them. Thirdly, the federal announcement on healthcare, infrastructure, and the all-season road to Canyon Creek project in the Sahtu, including the Whati road. In addition, Mr. Speaker, the recent...

The BRB, or the Bear River Bridge, as I recall was tendered procured in 2006. Now the Minister is saying 2005. I am a bit confused.

My question is, I understand the department, having mentioned the Bear River Bridge, in preparation for the Bear River Bridge, going back to 2006 and the procurement, there were some materials purchased and some materials produced, more specifically a stockpile south of Tulita for the mixture of concrete, Mr. Speaker. Since the stockpile of gravel that has been destined to be used for the Bear River Bridge project, but right now, while there is no work taking place...