Debates of March 10, 2009 (day 26)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. How can the GNWT help the town of Norman Wells with the seawall project that was budgeted for $613,000? I would like to ask the Minister of MACA, how can his department help the town?

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Robert McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First of all, I applaud the community of Norman Wells for seeing a problem and doing something about it right away. The problem is, Mr. Speaker, that the Building Canada Fund is hoping to have projects that have yet to be started and that is the basis of this. I would advise the Member that we are still working with the Government of Canada on hopefully having some positive outcome for the project in Norman Wells. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, the town of Norman Wells only did what any other community would have done to save its sewer plant, water intake plant. Certainly we would support the Minister in terms of going forward with the Building Canada Plan in terms of the projects. What is the status of these BCP projects in terms of 2009-10 with this government?

Mr. Speaker, as I advised the Member, we are still working with the Government of Canada to try and see if there is some way we can apply some of this funding to the project that has already been completed in Norman Wells. We will continue to work on that. If we get some information on that, I will pass it on to the Member and the community of Norman Wells. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, the town of Norman Wells would be very appreciative of the Minister’s response. I want to ask the Minister in terms of another source of funding under the Emergency Measures Fund, or are there other emergency funds his department has that could also help with this situation?

Mr. Speaker, again, the town of Norman Wells identified a need and they were protecting some infrastructure. I will assure the Member that MACA will explore all of our options in trying to access funding for the project in Norman Wells. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Your final supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Mr. Speaker, again, the town will be very appreciative of the response here. In terms of this situation here, can I ask the Minister in terms of instructing his officials when they do meet with us, what constitutes emergency measures such as a situation like this with Norman Wells? Does this type of funding that the town is requesting fit in some type of policy that constitutes an emergency for this situation?

Mr. Speaker, I would imagine that this would fit under an emergency, as this seawall needed to be built to protect their infrastructure. As I advised the Member, I will be bringing all this forward with the department and we will see what kind of options we have and I will advise the Member and the community of Norman Wells. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.