Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I too will be supporting the motion. As my colleague from the Monfwi had mentioned, the small communities outside of Norman Wells really are feeling the impacts of its costs, costs, costs. Everything we do in that region is either shipped in during barge, if there is one, and then wait another six months until the big trucks start rolling in. So it's a very costly operating area, and without government we have no industry. Those are just a few of the number of reasons why I'll be supporting this motion. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thanks to the Minister for that information. Moving on, I'm glad to hear that this Minister is making comments or statements to the previous Minister on Friday that we're taking an all-of-government approach. It really is a collective one to address this issue, and a major one. Can the Minister provide a subsidy to ensure the air cargo rate does not exceed above 60 cents per pound as proposed by the air barge. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are to the Minister of Infrastructure to my statement earlier. After MTS barge cancellations in 2018 and 2022, the GNWT organized an airlift for affected communities. My first question there, Mr. Speaker, has the Minister looked into this option for the Sahtu region? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Cancelled barging 2024 season impacts to the Sahtu businesses. On May the 23rd, the Government of the Northwest Territories announced that due to the low water levels, there would be no barging between Hay River, Tulita, and Norman Wells.

Mr. Speaker, while the Government of the Northwest Territories cannot change the low water levels throughout the Mackenzie basin, we can change how we respond to the impacted businesses. Making businesses wait 6 to 12 months to ship supplies is not an option as they can't go without work during the construction season and still maintain...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the impacts on the residents for the cancellation of the 2024 barging season. As I spoke in the House previously, the business and residents of the Sahtu region are facing insurmountable challenges right now to get supplies delivered to the community.

Mr. Speaker, it is construction season. It's the time of year when roads, bridges, sheds, buildings, and other construction projects are advancing. It's a very short window but it's a critical season; businesses have projects, people are working, and money circulates throughout the community. When businesses do...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. And thanks to deputy minister Kelly there for providing that information. So it does exist. I'm just curious, I had the privilege of travelling on a scheduled flight from Deline and there was a student doing an ice monitoring survey in Deline on the Great Bear Lake ice situation and the movements and so on. So the study required her to stay there at length. Is there any initiatives underway with the department to work with the Laurier Institute, I think it is. They have an office here on the first floor of the Scotia Centre. That individual that I encountered or...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Is there any discussions going on to reactivate that sunset? Can the Minister explain. Thank you.

I've got nothing further. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'm looking at page 89, the Mackenzie River Basin Board. I see there's continued allowance there of $40,000 for this activity. Could the Minister explain the roles and responsibilities or activities for this basin board. Thank you.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. That's a good positive starting point. I thank the Minister for the reply. Mahsi.