Debates of March 24, 2004 (day 7)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question today could go to two different Ministers: the Minister of Transportation and the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, but I’ll start out with the question being directed to the Minister of Transportation. During my Member’s statement I spoke of the City of Yellowknife wanting to get an access road built from Highway No. 3 into the Kam Lake industrial park. I’m wondering, Mr. Speaker, where exactly does the Department of Transportation stand on this issue and what are the hold-ups? Thank you.

Minister of Transportation, Mr. McLeod.

Return To Question 68-15(3): Access Road Between Highway 3 And Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the second part of the question is fairly easy to answer. Difficulty identifying funding and sources is always a concern. However, we have been working on a fairly detailed, comprehensive plan for the Yellowknife Airport. As the Member knows, the Yellowknife Airport is a very important airport in the Northwest Territories because of its location and its operational capacity and capability. We have had discussions regarding the desire to extend the road from Highway No. 3 to Kam Lake, which would go through the Yellowknife Airport reserve that we have in place now. We have concerns also that the development taking place in the airport reserve is not very structured at this point and we’d like to see that streamlined. We’ve had discussions with our federal counterparts. We’ve had discussions with the City of Yellowknife and we are in the process of putting together a report which I’m not sure we’re in a position to table at this point, but I can get back to the Member with that information. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 68-15(3): Access Road Between Highway 3 And Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m just wondering, given the fact that the Minister talks of the airport expansion being in the way of the access road being built, I’m wondering if maybe through you to the Minister, would the government look at perhaps making some land available a little further down Highway No. 3 to have this access road into the Kam Lake industrial park? Has that been on the table for discussion? Thank you.

Minister of Transportation, Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 68-15(3): Access Road Between Highway 3 And Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We’ve not had the opportunity to talk about the possibility of establishing or designing a road outside our reserve. I will commit to talking to my colleague, the honourable Minister of MACA. We’re also, I should point out, having discussions with the city as to responsibility of the city and what their role is in this. I can provide that information. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 68-15(3): Access Road Between Highway 3 And Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m just wondering, if both the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs and Minister of Transportation are going to be conducting some meetings and if this subject comes up to keep me apprised of that and perhaps they’ll let me know when and where these meetings are taking place. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Transportation, Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 68-15(3): Access Road Between Highway 3 And Kam Lake

Mr. Speaker, we have done a considerable amount of work already. We have looked at some preliminary drawings and we have some designs that maybe at this point we would be able to share. I certainly will commit to keep the Member informed of our progress. Thank you.