Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier I spoke about the opening of the Inuvik to Tuk Highway and the questions are for the Minister of Transportation. Mr. Speaker, my first question is: can the Minister tell us about the current status of the Inuvik to Tuk Highway project? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Minister of Transportation.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I have stated last week in the House on my update, the Inuvik Tuktoyaktuk Highway construction project remains on schedule within the approved budget of $299 million. The project has employed over 500 people at the peak of this winter’s construction season. Approximately 74 per cent of the workforce came from the Beaufort Delta region. As the winter construction season has come to a close, the company will be preparing to move on with next season’s surfacing of the top layer of gravel on the highway and finishing off the remaining three-and-a-half kilometres of embankment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I appreciate the response from the Minister. Mr. Speaker, my second question is how is the Government of the Northwest Territories working with Canada as well as Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk to prepare for the grand opening?
A lead person within the Department of Transportation will be developing an opening ceremony and will be working in conjunction with the communities, with the other GNWT departments, and with the Government of Canada to ensure adequate input is received from all stakeholders. We are anticipating having a concept and preliminary plan for the grand opening later this summer in 2016.
Mr. Speaker, my third question is: have we considered ways to let all Canadians be part of how we are going to mark this historical event?
The department and the federal government are partners, and we are certainly open to receiving any ideas and encouraging all Canadians to help in order to celebrate this historic event. We look forward to any ideas of how we want to do this grand opening.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nunakput.
Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my final question is: can the Minister speak on some of the ways the government has been preparing to mitigate the possible negative impacts of the highway, such as unforeseen major maintenance costs? Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker.
The department anticipates the road will lead to opportunities in the Beaufort Delta, including lowering the cost of living to the community of Tuktoyaktuk, lead to more affordable housing, and promote economic development and tourism in the region.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife North.
