Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a few questions for the Minister of Infrastructure. Mr. Speaker, it's that time of the year again in my riding on the Mackenzie and Peel River. Rivers are clearing with ice as we have break-up there. Mr. Speaker, my constituents are eager to travel either to communities or travel to Whitehorse on the ferry system. I'd like to ask the Minister: when will the Abraham Francis and Louis Cardinal ferries be ready for operation? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Minister of Infrastructure.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We don't anticipate any issues or delays. I think, going forward right now, there's some retrofit work happening on the ferries and they're proceeding as scheduled. Normal shipping season or ferry traffic usually starts the first or second week of June, and we don't anticipate anything different at this time.
Mr. Speaker, that sounds good. Actually, I just got a report this morning here, during session, that the Peel River is actually clear of ice and the Mackenzie just has a little bit of shore ice, so we're now looking forward most likely next week, Friday, I guarantee the water will drop. Would the ferry be ready for operation if the conditions were good for low water?
We may have to bring the Member onboard for the Marine Transportation System. He has guaranteed river levels. We will work diligently to do all the prep work to the site and make sure the boats are up and running safely. We will work with all Members of this House to let them know when we can get them in on a timely matter, subject to the river conditions.
Mr. Speaker, I recommend to the department that they look for someone else that has traditional knowledge up in my riding that could assist them, but, you know, already the Peel River has dropped. There is no ice there. If the conditions are right for the Peel River, would the department look at launching the Peel River ferry first?
Mr. Speaker, if the conditions are right and we get the shore work completed that allow access to the ferries, I don't see an issue with launching that ferry sooner than the other ones. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake.
