Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to ask the Minister of Transportation some questions. I was reading the Deh Cho Drum today, and the Trout Lake residents, of course, are concerned that the new airport construction is being delayed. I’d like to ask the Minister of Transportation how much of a delay in the construction is anticipated.
Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Minister responsible for Transportation, Mr. David Ramsay.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We’ve had many discussions with the community of Trout Lake. We continue to pursue the relocation of the airport in Trout Lake. It has been delayed, but we continue to work with the community to maximize the benefits for employment and training at the community level. We will continue to work with the community of Trout Lake to finish the project.
Certainly Trout Lake has been looking forward to the completion of this project and to have it delayed by another year…. What date was the anticipated completion date for the project?
That would be until sometime in the winter of 2013.
I know that there was great concern over getting access to gravel to complete the airport and it could have been done this winter but it was delayed. Is the Minister anticipating the department to move forward with the gravel haul by next winter?
Those discussions have taken place with the community. There was some concern about spacing the work out so that the community had the ability to do the gravel haul. Under the discussions, I do believe they have agreed to that gravel haul next winter. So that work will proceed at a future date.
Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Final supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Can I ask the Minister to provide me with a brief project update before I return back to my constituency so I can provide it to the community so they can expect the work timelines?
I’d be happy to provide the Member with that timeline and an update on the status of the relocation of the airport in Trout Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Blake.
