Debates of June 2, 2006 (day 4)

June
2
2006
Day
4
Speaker
Paul Delorey
Word
Members Present
ITEM 1: PRAYER
Assembly Members
Topics
Bill 3: An Act To Amend The Legislative Assembly And Executive Council Act
Bill 4: An Act To Amend The Supplementary Retiring Allowances Act
Bill 5: An Act To Amend The Territorial Parks Act
Committee Motion 1-15(5): Recommendation To Review Implications Of Including Systemic Remedies In Human Rights Act, Carried
Committee Motion 10-15(5): Recommendation To Consult With Information And Privacy Commissioner Before Moving Public Registries Online, Carried
Committee Motion 11-15(5): Recommendation To Set Standards For Submissions To Information And Privacy Commissioner And Provide Leadership To Public Bodies, Carried
Committee Motion 12-15(5): Recommendation To Update Schedule 'A' To ATIPP Regulations Annually, Carried
Committee Motion 13-15(5): Recommendation To Keep Online Director Of ATIPP Coordinators Current And Provide Link To Directory On Legislative Assembly Website, Carried
Committee Motion 14-15(5): Recommendation That GNWT Public Bodies Consult With Commissioner To Identify Potential Privacy Issues In Early Stages Of Projects, Carried
Committee Motion 15-15(5): Recommendation To Evaluate Capacity To Respond To Access To Information Requests, Carried
Committee Motion 16-15(5): Recommendation To Table Comprehensive Response To Report Within 120 Days, Carried
Committee Motion 2-15(5): Recommendation To Review Implications Of Amending Human Rights Act To Prohibit Discrimination, Carried
Committee Motion 3-15(5): Recommendation To Table Comprehensive Response To Report Within 120 Days, Carried
Committee Motion 4-15(5): Recommendation To Make Public Statements Supporting Principles Of ATIPP Legislation, Carried
Committee Motion 5-15(5): Recommendation To Make Basic Records Management And ATIPP Training Mandatory For Chairs And Executive Directors Of GNWT Boards And Agencies, Carried
Committee Motion 6-15(5): Recommendation To Bring Forward Plan For Developing And Implementing Municipal Information And Privacy Legislation For Consideration By 16th Assembly, Carried
Committee Motion 7-15(5): Recommendation To Review Effectiveness Of PIPEDA And Need For Legislation On Private Sector Use Of Personal Information, Carried
Committee Motion 8-15(5): Recommendation To Ensure Access And Privacy Issues Are Considered In Devolution And Self-Government Negotiations, Carried
Committee Motion 9-15(5): Recommendation To Ensure Adequate Measures Are In Place To Monitor And Enforce Contractors' Compliance Against Disclosure Of Personal Information, Carried
Member’s Statement On Concerns With GNWT Human Resource Service Levels
Member’s Statement On Condolences To The Families Of Richard Apples And Joe Migwi
Member’s Statement On Congratulations To Fort Providence Graduates
Member’s Statement On Congratulations To Nahendeh Graduates
Member’s Statement On Congratulations To Nunakput Graduates
Member’s Statement On Consideration For “Safer Communities” Legislation
Member’s Statement On Due Diligence For New Housing Proposals
Member’s Statement On Need For More Funding For Non-Government Organizations
Member’s Statement On Over-Expenditures And Delays To Capital Projects
Member’s Statement On Proactive Actions Required By Government To Regain Public Trust
Member’s Statement On Process Issues With GNWT Health Insurance Provider
Minister’s Statement 10-15(5): 2006 Get Active NWT Community Challenge
Minister’s Statement 9-15(5): Celebrating The Success Of Graduates
Question 32-15(5): Funding For Non-Government Organizations
Question 33-15(5): Consideration For Safe Communities Legislation
Question 34-15(5): Exploring Options To Meet Housing Needs Other Than Convertible Workforce Housing
Question 35-15(5): Concerns With GNWT Human Resources Service Levels
Question 36-15(5): Ekati Mine Labour Dispute
Question 37-15(5): Consideration For “On-The-Land” Alcohol And Drug Treatment Programs
Question 38-15(5): Status Of Student Residence Facility Planned For Inuvik
Question 39-15(5): GNWT Health Insurance Providers Process Concerns
Question 40-15(5): Value Of Convertible Workforce Housing Project
Question 41-15(5): Affordable Housing Strategy
Question 42-15(5): Change In Scope To Dene K'onia Facility Renovation Project
Question 43-15(5): Residential School Lump Sum Payments
Question 44-15(5): GNWT Employees Seeking Outside Employment
Question 45-15(5): Change In Scope To Dene K'onia Facility Renovation Project
Question 46-15(5): Delivery Of Dust Control Programs For Small Communities
Question 47-15(5): Maintenance Needed For Highways No. 1 And No. 7
Question 48-15(5): Review Process Of The Public Utilities Board
Question 49-15(5): Status Of Canol Heritage Park Project
Tabled Document 10-15(5): NWT Biodiversity Action Plan Report Two: Gap And Overlap Analysis And Recommendations For Future Actions
Tabled Document 14-15(5): The Safer Communities And Neighbourhoods Act - Yukon Presentation
Tabled Document 15-15(5): Toward New Voluntary Sector - Government Of The NWT Relationships And Funding Arrangements - Final Report
Written Question 3-15(5): Dene K'onia Facility Project
Written Question 4-15(5): Statistical Information
Statements

Question 47-15(5): Maintenance Needed For Highways No. 1 And No. 7

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. It’s time for my spring road report.

---Laughter

Mr. Speaker, I’ve got a question for the honourable Minister of Transportation. Just recently, the Dehcho leadership were travelling to Fort Liard, as well as track and field communities were travelling to Hay River, and they report that highways No. 1 and No. 7 have largely been unmaintained. They’re saying that there's lots of potholes, it’s soft. I’m just wondering, when is this ministry going to spend some of that money that’s earmarked for maintenance on those highways? Mahsi.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

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

Return To Question 47-15(5): Maintenance Needed For Highways No. 1 And No. 7

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s always a challenge to deal with the damage that’s been done over the winter months because of frost heaving, because of the level of traffic that’s on our roads as a result of resource development. There is also the issue of some areas flooding and those type of things, and it takes a while to catch up. All our crews are out there. All our own-force crews are out there. Some crews are working overtime if there’s areas that need extra attention, and all our contract crews are out there. But we have to ask the general public to bear with us. It’s going to take a while. It usually takes several weeks to a month to get back on a regular maintenance schedule and do all the patching. This year we tried to get our crews out early to be able to accommodate the level of repairs that needed to be done, but it’s going to take a while. We also need the weather to cooperate with us because if we get a rain storm, then that really escalates the damage that gets done on the roads, especially our gravel roads such as highways No. 1 and No. 7 in the Member’s riding. Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Supplementary To Question 47-15(5): Maintenance Needed For Highways No. 1 And 7

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just want to read briefly from an e-mail I got. “Dear Mr. Menicoche, blankety, blankety, blankety maintenance, blankety, blankety roads.”

---Laughter

Just to highlight the fact that the Minister indicated the desire to get out there soon and I think soon was about a month ago to maintain those roads, Mr. Speaker. Once again, when will our maintenance schedule kick in for the roads, because there are people moving around? They are travelling around lots and safety is their number one concern. Mahsi.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 47-15(5): Maintenance Needed For Highways No. 1 And 7

Mr. Speaker, I am not sure what the Member means when he asks when the maintenance schedule will kick in. We have a maintenance schedule that operates year round. We have a maintenance schedule that we are operating under right now. We are providing extra attention to some of the areas that are causing us some concern. However, we have our crews out there working as many hours as we can provide and we will continue to do so.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Supplementary To Question 47-15(5): Maintenance Needed For Highways No. 1 And 7

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just with respect to the maintenance schedule, the residents and constituents are reporting that the roads are not being maintained. People who travel quite frequently haven’t seen the graders out there. There are indeed potholes. Highway No. 7, that’s the Fort Liard one, there are lots of soft spots that need maintenance and filling in, but people aren’t seeing anything being done. So when is the ministry going to direct the maintenance crews out there and have a good look at the problems that are occurring? Mahsi.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 47-15(5): Maintenance Needed For Highways No. 1 And 7

Mr. Speaker, we will have some of our senior staff go into the areas on highways No. 1 and No. 7 to see for themselves if there are some concerns being raised by some of the Member’s constituents and look into the issues. Thank you.