Debates of May 17, 2007 (day 9)

Mr. Speaker, thank you. My questions this afternoon are for Mr. Menicoche, the Minister for Transportation. Mr. Speaker, there are two visionary projects in play right now to open up the diamond fields and other mineral areas north and east of Yellowknife to more secure transportation. The Bathurst Inlet port and road proposal, which would bring things in via the Arctic Ocean marine route, and, of course, the Tibbet to Contwoyto seasonal winter road project. Both have significant ramifications for our economy; both will require significant public and/or private investment. It is likely, though, that perhaps only one will make it, at least in the near future. Mr. Speaker, which one does the GNWT prefer?

Thank you, Mr. Braden. The honourable Minister responsible for Transportation, Mr. Menicoche.

Return To Question 114-15(6): Transportation Routes To The Slave Geological Province

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. The Member is right; there are two important initiatives largely driven by the private sector. As a government, we're interested, of course, in their development. The Bathurst Inlet port is largely driven by the government and supported by the Government of Nunavut. Kitikmeot Corporation and Nuna Logistics are proposing that and they expect to file a draft environmental impact statement later on this fall. As well in the news, the joint venture is looking at upgrading their roads to the mines. I think there's another 100 kilometres they want to get a seasonal operating road. Both are very viable projects, Mr. Speaker, and the government is supportive of both. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Supplementary To Question 114-15(6): Transportation Routes To The Slave Geological Province

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Given the significance of these, does it not make sense, is there no kind of process underway or at least under contemplation, Mr. Speaker, that would involve Nunavut, Canada, us and industry to assess these and make some long-term decisions that will work for us? Is there a process underway that we can participate in, Mr. Speaker?

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Menicoche.

Further Return To Question 114-15(6): Transportation Routes To The Slave Geological Province

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Certainly, the Department of Transportation, working with our Department of ENR, will be monitoring the developments of the environmental impact statement that will be filed, and certainly take part to ensure the GNWT interests are considered at that point. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Braden, supplementary.

Supplementary To Question 114-15(6): Transportation Routes To The Slave Geological Province

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So what I'm hearing is we're going to take a neutral stand on these projects; we're not going to evaluate them for their relative merits and then seek out one that we can support. So I guess my question is, are we going to be standing on the sidelines as the two projects develop, Mr. Speaker?

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Menicoche.

Further Return To Question 114-15(6): Transportation Routes To The Slave Geological Province

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Certainly, we are working with the joint venture group, who are the proponents, actually the ones that are considering both routes, and working along with them. Certainly the road mining transportation alternative study that they had released in April 2007 does recommend the best short-term solution is the one that runs the southern portion of the ice road, which is the southern part. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Thank you, Mr. Braden. Colleagues, before I go to the next Member, I'd like to draw your attention to two young ladies in the Chamber that have been paging for us from my riding: Hilary Aldridge and Frankie Ranger.

---Applause