Mahsi, Madam Speaker. My question to the MACA Minister is related to the cellphone range extension beyond the communities. Has the Minister engaged the CRTC in any way on this important initiative? Mahsi.
Thank you, Member. Minister of MACA.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. MACA has and will continue to support the ongoing discussions with relevant stakeholders, the Department of Finance, who are actively involved with CRTC proceedings, and to look to extend broadband across the Northwest Territories, the federal funding program that may be aimed at supporting development and within communities who can choose to build the necessary infrastructure. Just to clarify that the cellphone coverage and looking at cellphone outside of the municipal boundary along the highways, I will be speaking with my colleague, the Minister of Finance. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mahsi to the Minister for that answer. The Minister had indicated extending the cellphone range was a priority for the GNWT. Can the Minister share the action plan to address this very important safety initiative?
As a government, we did identify our priorities, and looking at the cellphone coverage, I know, is a huge safety concern throughout the territory. We do have constructed highways. We do have winter roads that would need this service. As of right now, I would have to follow up with my colleagues and looking at what is provided along the highways is the satellite phones, the OnStar, and the inReach, but I do understand that not all vehicles are equipped with these devices. I will have to get back to the Member.
Mahsi to the Minister for that one. 911 service is a lifeline to many who are in life-threatening accidents within communities but more importantly to accidents beyond community boundaries and beyond the current cellphone range within the vicinity of a community. Will the Minister commit to providing this Assembly and the residents of the Northwest Territories an action plan showing all milestones to the development of cellular service extensions?
I will have to consult with my colleagues. Looking at an action plan, I would like to provide the Member with the current status of how we are working with 911 throughout the Northwest Territories. I do understand we do have isolated communities, that I'm not too sure if they are able to access the program effectively because we do have broadband issues in the Northwest Territories, especially in the High Arctic. I will follow up with the Member.
Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary. Member for Deh Cho.
Mahsi, Madam Speaker. I don't believe the CRTC provides funding for these types of initiatives, but rather rulings regarding current regulations. Will the Minister commit to looking at all possible cellular extension options besides monopolies and find funding sources? Mahsi.
For the municipal communities we do provide a capital funding to each of the communities depending on what it is that they would like to put forward in regard to infrastructure projects. At this time, I would have to explore what available federal funding would be available to the smaller communities should they want to extend cellular service and construct towers within their municipal boundaries. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Great Slave.
