Debates of August 16, 2007 (day 11)

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker…(English not provided)

Mr. Speaker, as I highlighted in my Member's statement, the importance of having a maintenance contract on the Edzo crew from Boundary Creek to the Rae access road. Mr. Speaker, we need to respect the jurisdiction, the Monfwi Gogha De Niitlee traditional territory on which Highway No. 3 is situated and operated. My question is to the Minister responsible for the Department of Transportation. What efforts have the Minister's department made to ensure it uses local workforce whenever possible? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Minister of Transportation, Mr. Menicoche.

Return To Question 129-15(6): Transfer Of Maintenance Contract For Highway No. 3

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. The department, along with many other departments in our government, have been using and will continue to ask for local workforce in all its communities and regions that we represent. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Supplementary, Mr. Lafferty.

Supplementary To Question 129-15(6): Transfer Of Maintenance Contract For Highway No. 3

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, that was just the beginning of my oral questions here. My next question, Mr. Speaker, is I asked the former Minister of the Department of Transportation to consider the pros and cons of transferring the responsibility for Highway No. 3 maintenance to Behchoko, taking into consideration the cost efficiency as well as the need to stimulate employment outside of the capital city. The Minister was to report back to this Assembly. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister confirm if this work has been done and, if so, what were the results? If not, why not? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Mr. Menicoche.

Further Return To Question 129-15(6): Transfer Of Maintenance Contract For Highway No. 3

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. No, I cannot confirm if that study has been completed, nor deny it. Thank you, honourable Members. I have not requested the department to see if this work has been completed. It's only now been brought to my attention, but having our base at Behchoko right now is suitable for our current needs. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Supplementary, Mr. Lafferty.

Supplementary To Question 129-15(6): Transfer Of Maintenance Contract For Highway No. 3

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it has been over a year, almost two years now, since I last asked that question and the department was going to come out with a study and then come back to this Assembly, which they are currently still working on for almost two years now. I'm not sure how long it takes to supply that information. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to seek another question to the department and also to the Minister. So for the third time I will ask, Mr. Speaker, has the Minister considered the option of transferring the maintenance contract from Boundary Creek to Rae access road to be under the Edzo crew? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Mr. Menicoche.

Further Return To Question 129-15(6): Transfer Of Maintenance Contract For Highway No. 3

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I actually heard a couple questions there and I'll follow up with the first one, which was the commitment to follow up on the study that's been previously committed. I can certainly do that. I'll check with the department and see where that assessment is at. As well, in answering the second part of his question is, I'll continue to do the same with the department and find out where the assessment and evaluation of extending the boundary from Behchoko to Boundary Creek. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Final supplementary, Mr. Lafferty.

Supplementary To Question 129-15(6): Transfer Of Maintenance Contract For Highway No. 3

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am looking forward to the transferring of the contract; the sooner the better. So my next questions I guess would lead to that. Mr. Speaker, after all this time and out of courtesy to the Tlicho Government and the people of Behchoko, the Minister must make some effort to give this issue some consideration before the close of this 15th Assembly. Mr. Speaker, will the Minister agree to meet with the chief of Behchoko regarding the maintenance contract before the end of this Assembly and make a commitment to transfer the maintenance contract that is rightfully under Wekeezhii and Monfwi Gogha De Niitlee traditional area? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Mr. Menicoche.

Further Return To Question 129-15(6): Transfer Of Maintenance Contract For Highway No. 3

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I'll be glad to sit down with the chief of Behchoko. I believe we're organizing a meeting with the Tlicho chiefs some time towards the end of this month and I'll be glad to sit down and discuss that item separately with them. Mahsi.