Debates of November 28, 2007 (day 4)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have some questions for the Minister of Transportation. Could the Minister please share with us the status of the ferry crossing at Fort Providence today? Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The honourable Minister responsible for Transportation, Mr. Yakeleya.

Return To Question 52-16(1): Status Of Fort Providence Ferry Crossing

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you to the Member for Hay River South. The ferry is in suspension as we speak and right now the department is checking the time as to when we can have that opened up in terms of continuing our services across the Mackenzie River. Of course, our department is doing all it can with its resources to ensure that we have this ferry up and running as quickly as possible.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 52-16(1): Status Of Fort Providence Ferry Crossing

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Why isn’t the ferry at Fort Providence running today? Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Yakeleya.

Further Return To Question 52-16(1): Status Of Fort Providence Ferry Crossing

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The situation here has been determined by the low water we have in the Mackenzie River and that’s why the ferry isn’t operating now; it hit the bottom of the Mackenzie. We’re assessing it and will see how soon we can have the ferry up and running in terms of ensuring that traffic is flowing on a more consistent basis.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 52-16(1): Status Of Fort Providence Ferry Crossing

Is this a common occurrence at this time of year, Mr. Speaker, or is this low water something that is unusual? I was wondering how the Minister is planning to raise the water level in the Mackenzie River. Thank you.

---Laughter

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Yakeleya.

Further Return To Question 52-16(1): Status Of Fort Providence Ferry Crossing

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, if I had the power to raise the water, I would raise other things in the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, this is an annual issue with the low level of water in the Mackenzie River specifically around the Fort Providence crossing, and certainly other seasons have seen better times. Of course, this season we’re dealing with this issue here and hopefully that, again, I thank our staff for doing a wonderful job at this crossing to ensure that we do have our ferry up and running as quickly as possible. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Final supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 52-16(1): Status Of Fort Providence Ferry Crossing

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, for the benefit of those people who may be waiting to cross there, and for the information of the public and for their convenience, does the Minister have any projections as to when the ferry will be re-operating or the ice bridge will be ready to take traffic? Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Yakeleya.

Further Return To Question 52-16(1): Status Of Fort Providence Ferry Crossing

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we’re working, the staff is working to its greatest potential in terms of opening the Mackenzie ferry at Fort Providence. We’re hoping that it will be done as soon as possible, Mr. Speaker. I’m reluctant to give a specific time because I will be held to it. We have to have the weather on our side in terms of the water, the level of the water, and if that can be resolved, then certainly the Member will be notified through my office as soon as the ferry is open. Thank you.