Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Minister of Transportation in regards to the Dempster Highway from the corner to the NWT border. Is the Minister working with the Yukon government and the federal Minister to see if we could get any funding jointly to get the highway fixed because the wear and tear on everybody's vehicles is like, from the Delta, Mr. Speaker, is there any possible way to make agreement, I guess, with the federal Minister to get monies for that road? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Nunakput. Minister responsible for Infrastructure.
Quyananni. Yes, the Department of Infrastructure is working with the Yukon counterparts. I just want to note, Mr. Speaker, that the Premier Pillai was up in Inuvik for the northern Premiers meeting and, you know, we had discussions on putting a joint submission forward to Canada because the Member is correct, you know, I get a number of concerns that the Dempster Highway is doing a lot of wear and tear. I mean, you know, we as the GNWT has done work from Inuvik's side. You know, we're not done yet but, I mean, we're working towards the border, Mr. Speaker. You're fully aware of the conditions once you pass the border going into the Yukon. You know, we as the northern residents up in the Beaufort Delta, we use the Dempster Highway all the time for our supplies. So, I mean, yes, we are working with the Yukon government. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. You know when I hit the NWT side, that's a real highway right to Tsiigehtchic. That highway's really well maintained, and well done to the department. But, you know, soon as you hit the NWT border southbound, right to the corner, you're pounding out shocks, and the wear and tear on not only the regular community trucks but to all the trucking companies too because the upkeep on that highway's so bad.
But, Mr. Speaker, the question I have right now is when will the Minister be doing that joint submission with the Yukon, and is there a timeline on that to get it submitted to the federal government? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, you know, I just I want to note that at the meeting, you know, we sat at the table. Premier Cochrane was there as well, grand chief for the Gwich'in Tribal Council was also at the table. We had really indepth discussions. It's also a priority. And the grand chief had also mirrored some of my concerns as well. So, I mean, we are working together from the region to be able to further discuss. You know, it is important because it's a vital link standpoint for resupply but, you know, tourism opportunities as well that benefit both jurisdictions in the Yukon and the Northwest Territories. Arctic sovereignty, for example, is most importantly. Road safety for both territories. Mr. Speaker, we are working with the government. Premier Pillai had promised me that he would look into perhaps putting some money into the Yukon side. So I'm looking forward to furthering that discussion with him. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Yeah, thank you for that, Mr. Speaker. Thank you to the Minister for that. But when would we be able to get that joint submission in to get the monies to get that highway done, just the timeline? Is it this summer that they're going to do a joint submission, or is the Minister going to go to Whitehorse to get that done? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the I just want to note, you know, yes we're pushing from the GNWT standpoint but realistically this has to be Yukon led. I mean, this is their part of the highway. We can't be submitting federal funding for another jurisdiction other than let's do this together. And, you know, in terms of timeline, I'm hoping by the summer. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Okay, thank you, Mr. Speaker. No, I'm really happy to hear that the works going to be done by my Minister. And hopefully she could get into the Yukon into Whitehorse to go and meet with the appropriate Minister and to get this joint submission done and make them think it's their idea when it's actually ours. So I'm encouraging the Minister to get down to Whitehorse as soon as possible to get this done because it's just a little bit too much wear and tear on everybody's vehicles. And like I always said, you know, as the Beaufort Delta has more we do more of our shopping and everything like that in the Yukon so that road's really well in need of upkeep and care. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, that's that's my you know, that's something I want to do. I've been having discussions with the Premier. And, you know, I continue to work with the Premier's office to be able to have a road trip from Dawson all the way to Inuvik and hit every pothole there is on that road. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Thebacha.
