Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I alluded to the washboard situation on the stretch of highway from Junction No. 1 and 3 in my Member's statement. My question to the Infrastructure Minister related to that stretch is: Are there any immediate plans to repair that stretch of highway anytime soon? Mahsi.
Thank you, Member for Deh Cho. Minister of Infrastructure.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member will be happy because the Department of Infrastructure is resurfacing Highway No. 3 from kilometre 0 to 23 this year, and double layer of chip seal next year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mahsi for that good news. I note the low employment in the community of Fort Providence, not to mention the number of Aurora College heavy equipment operators that have completed the program but are not given any opportunities for work in the field. My question to the Minister and a possible solution, their shortfalls in employment, unemployment: Is it possible to look into the benefits to providing training, employment program, and at the same time, providing the much-needed repairs?
We're always looking at innovative ways to get local Northerners to work because it forms an important part of our bid process, and this is something we have done in the past with the Tlicho All-Season Road. We were able to work with the contractors to be able to provide training and opportunities for some of the local citizens to give them some of the skills that they can move forward with their training.
That's very promising. I like that idea that we use as many northern contractors and northern labour as possible, especially if we can move forward on training programs. Many of these people that come out of heavy equipment operator programs, they are not hired by contractors because they lack experience. This type of work, and there's lots of work in the Northwest Territories highways, enables them to gain more experience on the highway systems operating equipment, flag persons, and whatnot. It's much needed. I realize that some contractors, northern contractors will need southern or other contractors that are experienced in road repair or chip sealing, but as long as a majority of the workers are northern content and for the contractors' sake, also. Mr. Speaker, it is more of a comment, and I don't have any more questions. That's good news that we're going to be moving on this project.
Thank you, Member. Taken as a comment. Minister's reply.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I enjoy the comment and some of the good news. However, I do want to speak a little bit more, and I should have answered this in his first question. I do want to elaborate a little bit more on some of the work that infrastructure has already invited a public tender, so we're doing a quarry at kilometre 188, which is Highway No. 1. The tender is closing February 25th to be able to produce some necessary work for the Highway No. 3 resurfacing.
Furthermore, Mr. Speaker, and I'm sure the Member will be happy, the survey contract will be awarded to Sub-Arctic Surveys this week to be able to survey Highway No. 3, which is at kilometre 0 to 23. Once the survey is complete, department staff will design the section. We are looking at a multi-year public tender for Highway No. 3 resurfacing, to be able to start this work this June-July 2021. Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Thebacha.
