Masi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] There is a major bridge on our lands. It is called Frank Channel Bridge. Without that bridge, we know that we won't be able to transport a lot of things, and it is really old. I have questions for Infrastructure. [End of translation]
[Microphone not on] ...part of the North Slave highway lifeline to the rest of the territory, and also to the south. It is 50-plus years old and badly aging. A question to the Minister of Infrastructure: where does a new Frank Channel Bridge rank in the capital plan of the Minister's infrastructure department? Mahsi.
Thank you, Member for Monfwi. Minister of Infrastructure.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am not sure of any ranking structure within our capital plan, but I could definitely look to see if there is one. The department fully acknowledges that the Frank Channel Bridge does need to be replaced. In fact, we have been applying for funding, federal funding, to replace the bridge, and instead have actually been turned down the last times that we have tried. We have not been successful; however, we do feel that the next application has a good shot of being approved by the Canadian government, so that is our next step.
We have had early engagement with industry about the planned rehabilitation, and industry representatives at the time told us that they did want the replacement of the bridge and the elimination of the overhead structure. That would allow for the strangely shaped and oversized loads to get on the bridge. We are currently engaging with the community of Behchoko and the Tlicho Government on the replacement of the bridge, the pre-engineering and environmental baseline work to prepare for its replacement. We will have a request for proposals out for the bridge design this year, and the department is continuing to do internal work to advance the project and secure the funding for the construction of the bridge. Thank you.
I understand a proposal was submitted in the 18th Assembly to replace the Frank Channel Bridge, but unfortunately, it failed to secure funding. I understand there is a federal counterpart to this. Is there a new plan to seek federal assistance on the Frank Channel Bridge? What kind of schedule are we looking at?
I am just looking through my notes here to see when the next application will go in for the federal funding. My understanding is it will happen after the federal budget is passed in the House, so the intent is to move this project forward as quickly as possible. There have definitely been issues with the bridge, we do understand. However, I should point out that the bridge is safe. It is currently inspected by engineers. There was an interim measure to preserve the bridge until the project funding could be secured, and concrete deck repairs were carried out in September of 2018 and June of 2019.
This is a very important project, and my understanding is that a proposal has not really been submitted yet, unfortunately. I want to ask the Minister: what discussion has this Minister of Infrastructure had with her federal counterparts regarding the funding for this very important project, the Frank Channel Bridge?
As I am currently new to this role, I have not yet had a chance to address my federal counterparts on this specific project. I believe the Government of the Northwest Territories is doing a good job, and we are trying very much to get in front of the federal government to impress upon them our infrastructure deficit. When you asked me about ranking, I believe all of the deficits we have in our infrastructure are all critical pieces that need to be funded and we need to get them going, so there is a process. We plan to resubmit the plan as soon as we can. We have been applying actively for funding for this project. This is a critical piece of infrastructure that allows our mining industry to go forward, our resupply of goods and services and things to Yellowknife and to communities beyond, so this piece of infrastructure is very, very important and high on the department's radar.
Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary, Member for Monfwi.
Masi, Mr. Speaker. I would like to see more action-oriented, instead of talking about this particular project. Our MP also asked me where the proposal was and has it been submitted. At that point in time, that was a few months ago, I said, "I imagine it has been, with a new government." Unfortunately, it is not there at this point. I am afraid we are going to miss the opportunity again, because we still had the funding criteria last time. This is through the National Trade Corridors Fund, I believe, and I would highly encourage the Minister to get hold of our MP and also their federal counterpart. When could that happen? I would assume, I hope, it will be immediately after we have our session here, Mr. Speaker. Masi.
As mentioned, there is a process that needs to be followed. The federal government also just recently had an election. Therefore, we were waiting for that to happen as well as their budgets to go through, and then we would be making the application again. As stated, we have consistently been trying to get this funding, so this is not falling off my department's radar. In fact, it is one of the things that we are moving forward on. I have met with MP McLeod, and we have started to have discussions about the infrastructure deficit that the Northwest Territories is facing. I sat down and had a specific meeting with the MP on this issue; not at the moment, however. That has been more of a schedule issue, and we have been talking about getting our offices together to have the more infrastructure-focused conversation rather than the larger conversation we have been having with the MP as a Cabinet. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.
