Debates of February 3, 2006 (day 22)

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Once again, I rise in this House to raise the issue of a 22-kilometre access road from Tuktoyaktuk to gravel source 177. Mr. Speaker, in the 1990s, one kilometre of the road from the source to Tuktoyaktuk was constructed using GNWT funds. As I have indicated in previous Member's statements, this access road is in alignment of Tuktoyaktuk’s proposed new landfill, sewage lagoon and an airport. Perhaps more importantly, Mr. Speaker, the access road is also in alignment with the Tuktoyaktuk-Inuvik highway.

I would like to thank Premier Handley, Minister McLeod and out-going MP Blondin-Andrew for meeting with the Tuktoyaktuk Working Group in November. At that meeting, Mayor Jacobson briefed the governments on the need for gravel and why the access road is so important for the future infrastructure requirements of the community. The government was very receptive to the need for a year-round source of gravel and to starting the Tuk-Inuvik highway.

Mr. Speaker, at the last meeting of the federal/provincial/territorial Ministers of Transportation, it was agreed to support the construction and completion of an all-weather road up the Mackenzie, ending in Tuktoyaktuk. I understand that the Minister of Transportation has released two documents: Corridors for Canada II and Connecting Canada from Coast to Coast to Coast. The document Corridors for Canada II has identified a requirement of $15 million to build an access road to gravel source 177.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, this government must vigorously pursue the implementation of these two plans with the new Conservative government. The access road is essential to the continuing economic growth in the Beaufort-Delta and needs to be started as soon as possible. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause