Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, two days ago on May 23rd, I went to NorthwesTel which is owned by Bell in the Northwest Territories, to help a Hay River evacuee pay for their phone bill because it was going to be cut off. NorthwesTel told me they don't do Bell payments there even though they are owned by Bell. They told me I had to go to the bank. This is a very important issue, especially in light of the various natural disaster emergencies that the NWT has experienced in recent days and years. Does the Minister agree that this is not okay? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Thebacha. Minister responsible for Finance.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I certainly feel for any residents right now that are, you know, anywhere in the South Slave dealing with some variety of natural disasters or any other personal circumstances. I'm not going to be in a position to speak to what whether or not NorthwesTel and Bell need to sort out their billing in a different way. I can certainly raise it to the counterparts at NorthwesTel that I do meet with on occasion and see if there is a path forward or, you know, perhaps try to support provide us some information about online banking opportunities. And if that's in, you know, some supports there for this person, if they're a business they may be able to access some help in terms of getting themselves set up online. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, in addition to natural disaster emergencies, there's also a major concern about the lack of cellphone infrastructure on all NWT highways. Between Fort Smith and Hay River, there are no cell services. Between Behchoko and Yellowknife, there are no cellphone services. And in the last two weeks, there have been at least two trafficrelated fatalities near Enterprise and Behchoko. So if there were broader cellphone services across the NWT, there is a chance that those tragedies could have been prevented. Does the Minister agree? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I think we're on a slightly different line right now than paying bills. But, Mr. Speaker, with respect to telecommunication services across highways, that, again, is one where all of Canada and all of rural and remote Canada struggles with this. I have certainly looked at many a map that shows the coverage for telecommunications. But we're not alone. And, in fact, northern parts of many provinces are in a more dire circumstances than what we are in terms of their demographics and populations that are affected. So as far as whether it would have prevented a highway accident, Mr. Speaker, that is probably a question that I'd have to go back to the RCMP about. I don't know if cell service would have prevented an accident necessarily. No doubt having access to cellular services can access emergency services more quickly, Mr. Speaker. And that, again, is something where we continue to advocate to the federal government to ensure that they're making a pathway available for funding for communities that want to try to have that kind of infrastructure. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, could the Minister tell us what NorthwesTel's master plan is for addressing some of these issues? Have they shared any plans with you or Cabinet and not with all of us? NorthwesTel and Bell need to start being accountable. Does the Minister agree? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do meet with NorthwesTel periodically and they and frequently well, and the purpose of those meetings is to get an update on achieving 50/10. That is their mandate through CRTC that they are to be providing the availability of 50/10, even if not with the affordability that I also continue to advocate where availability doesn't do much if we can't afford it.
Mr. Speaker, I have on those occasions asked them and encouraged them to also reach out to standing committees to make their presentations available. I will certainly follow up to ensure that they are reaching out. I think this is information that would be a benefit to all Members in the House. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary. Member for Thebacha.
Mr. Speaker, the master plan and accountability issues of NorthwesTel must be shared with all Members of the Legislative Assembly, and it should include how they're going to lower their rates and create more choices. In this day and age, it is extremely important that the people of the NWT remain connected with the rest of the world via modern technology with the internet and phone services. Does the Minister agree with that? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, the digital economy is most certainly the way of the future right now in many respects; it's upon us. It provides tremendous opportunities, and I would like nothing better than to see some of the many small businesses, artisans, crafts multiple sectors could benefit from better access to the internet, tourism, tourism providers, so on and so forth. There are programs at BDIC with ADAPT to try to get businesses online. There hopefully now there's going to be the new subsidy that I mentioned earlier coming available for residents. So, again, I think and this is where the Member and I are likely in agreement. And, Mr. Speaker, again, I will, again, confirm and follow up with NorthwesTel and encourage them to meet with Regular Members. It is information that we should all have. The more we're all talking about the same goal, the more we could hopefully achieve it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
