Debates of May 27, 2004 (day 14)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Now that the dust has settled in Tulita with health concerns with regard to elders, I have questions for the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, the Honourable Henry Zoe, with the chipsealing program scheduled for the communities. In 2007-08, the community is going to see some action in terms of the dust. Can I get a commitment from the Minister to work with the hamlet council to find an interim solution to the dust problems in Tulita while the community waits for the chipsealing program? Mahsi.

Minister of MACA, Mr. Zoe.

Return To Question 151-15(3): Health Concerns Of Dust In Sahtu Communities

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the issue of dust control at the community level, the Member for Sahtu raised with me earlier this week. I have taken it to my department to see how we can assist the particular community that he made reference to, particularly Tulita. The department, through our formula financing, is providing funding to undertake this type of dust control at the community level. With regard to chipsealing, we do have a five-year plan that we jointly developed with the Department of Transportation. Tulita is scheduled for 2006-07. As the Member knows, we try to do chipsealing in each region, so each region has at least one chipsealing program in that particular year.

I informed the Member earlier that also within our chipsealing program we are limited in our funding pertaining to that program. We have only $1 million allotted. Because of the previously planned activities within the next five years, chipsealing could not be upgraded or brought forward because of the allocation that we have for this particular year. For the following year, Mr. Speaker, I will seek additional funding to see if we can do more chipsealing in the communities, so we can alleviate the dust. That was the main purpose that the Special Joint Committee for Non-Tax-Based Community Affairs made when they made their report during the 14th Assembly. In terms of the additional funding that the Member made reference to, we do provide funding. It’s up to the community government to determine the priority of their community. If they wish to use some of their funding towards dust control for chloride -- I think that’s what they use on the roads -- the onus is on them to determine that. Thank you.

I would just like to remind the Ministers if you can answer the questions in a short time. There are six people on the list who would still like to ask questions, so please keep your response short. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 151-15(3): Health Concerns Of Dust In Sahtu Communities

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the last federal budget, the Minister of Finance, Ralph Goodale, announced funding for the Community Infrastructure Funding Program. What this means is $15 million is allocated to the NWT that was available over 10 years is now available over five years. Can the Minister confirm the implementation of scheduling of the chipsealing program?

Minister of MACA, Mr. Zoe.

Further Return To Question 151-15(3): Health Concerns Of Dust In Sahtu Communities

Mr. Speaker, on that particular infrastructure funding the Member made statements on, it pertains to various municipal infrastructure, and I will take it under advisement and get back to the Member in terms of whether the dust component falls under this particular program.

Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 151-15(3): Health Concerns Of Dust In Sahtu Communities

Mr. Speaker, I thank the Minister. The bottom line is at the end of the day when the dust settles, they want to know what can happen this year in terms of the dust. It’s very high. So I guess I am seeking some commitment from the Minister and his department to come into the community and talk to council and say we have some interim solutions, let’s work it out. Can the Minister give that commitment to me today? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of MACA, Mr. Zoe.

Further Return To Question 151-15(3): Health Concerns Of Dust In Sahtu Communities

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can assure the Member that I can have my regional staff from Municipal and Community Affairs visit with the municipal councils to see what is the best alternative to curb the dust control in Tulita. Thank you.

Final supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 151-15(3): Health Concerns Of Dust In Sahtu Communities

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in light of the acceleration of funding from the federal government, I want to ask the Minister if he would inform the people of the Sahtu when they can see the first phase of the chipsealing program and we can get some commitment for the people to look forward to in the Sahtu. Mahsi.

Minister of MACA, Mr. Zoe.

Further Return To Question 151-15(3): Health Concerns Of Dust In Sahtu Communities

Mr. Speaker, I have already provided all Members of the assembly the five-year capital activity plan that we outlined and developed with the Department of Transportation. All Members have that in their briefing book that I provided earlier, but I can assure the Member that for 2005-06, if we do have additional funding, I will try to convince my colleagues to see if we can enhance that particular program.