Debates of June 8, 2006 (day 8)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on numerous occasions I’ve raised the need for granular material for communities without year-round access to granular materials. Today I will be more specific to try and address the need for granular materials to upgrade the roads and driveways in Tuktoyaktuk.

Mr. Speaker, many years ago, about 1955, the American government -- or should I say DEW Line site -- quarried granular material from along the shores of Tuktoyaktuk to accommodate the buildings and roads and gravel pad to construct the DEW Line facility. Last year, during the NWTAC meeting in Tuktoyaktuk, the Premier and Minister of MACA toured the community and the unmanned DEW Line site.

Mr. Speaker, the Hamlet of Tuk has written to the Minister of National Defence requesting access to granular material. Unfortunately, to date there has been no response from the federal department. The Premier is well aware of these letters and has taken an interest on behalf of the hamlet to access the granular material. Mr. Speaker, the hamlet needs access to granular materials in the DEW Line site so that they can address the roads and driveways that need to be maintained and repaired. The Premier indicated he would meet with the federal Minister of National Defence in Ottawa in late May. Mr. Speaker, I will be following up with the Premier about his trip to Ottawa and continue to work with the Hamlet of Tuktoyaktuk to try and gain access to the gravel. If access can be gained this summer, it will allow the hamlet to maintain and repair the washboard roads in Tuktoyaktuk. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause