Debates of August 15, 2007 (day 10)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in the Premier’s sessional statement today he indicated how his government is working on new critical infrastructure projects throughout the territory, including the all-season road to the Arctic Ocean. As I indicated in my Member’s statement today, Mr. Speaker, there’s been a lot of discussions with the Premier between the mayor, the deputy mayor and myself with regards to accessing funds up to $50 million for access to the road to source 177 from Tuk. I’d like to ask the Premier at this time, has he heard anything from the federal government on how this money can be spent? If so, will that include allocating $50 million to source 177? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Pokiak. The honourable Premier, Mr. Handley.

Return To Question 124-15(6): Tuktoyaktuk Gravel Source Road Access

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m told that we have now received a framework for how the infrastructure money will be spent. The Department of Justice are reviewing that now. So I expect we should be proceeding quickly on this. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Supplementary, Mr. Pokiak.

Supplementary To Question 124-15(6): Tuktoyaktuk Gravel Source Road Access

Thank you. Yes, it’s been since February 2007 and we’re now in August, like I say right now. It’s been a long time to finally find out how that money can actually be spent, the $25 million infrastructure fund. I’d just like to ask the Premier I guess, he indicated that it should be shortly, once the Department of Justice reviews that, so can he give an indication to this House on whether they will expend that money between now and October? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Pokiak. Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 124-15(6): Tuktoyaktuk Gravel Source Road Access

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First let me clarify, we don’t have any dollars yet. What we have is a framework that sets out some of the guidelines to how the money will be spent. Assuming that there are no difficulties with the framework, then I would think that this will move fairly quickly. The federal government will be getting back to business soon from their summer recess. So I expect early this fall, but we have no way of knowing how fast they will work. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Supplementary, Mr. Pokiak.

Supplementary To Question 124-15(6): Tuktoyaktuk Gravel Source Road Access

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I understand that there is a framework in place here now, but I think this government is spending a lot of money in other places outside of the Beaufort-Delta. I would like to advise the Premier and the Minister that any considerations for giving to the Beaufort-Delta in terms of capital infrastructure funding and I encourage him because he’s the funding source of access road to source 177. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Pokiak. Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 124-15(6): Tuktoyaktuk Gravel Source Road Access

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member is right; we’ve had a lot of meetings about this and I’m sure it's frustrating for people who attended meetings with myself with the Inuvialuit president, with the former Minister of DIAND, and in fact I think this was even discussed with the Prime Minister when he was here last week. Mr. Speaker, we will do everything we can, but I would expect that because this is a new expenditure, that this is something that would have to now go to the next government, but we will make that recommendation that they give it the same attention we have and make the commitment once the money is received. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.