Hon. Titus Allooloo's return to Question W32-12(2), asked by Mr. Nerysoo on April 1, 1992: On February 21, 1992, the Department of Transportation received a request from the Arctic Red River Band Council to negotiate a contract to operate the Mackenzie River ferry crossing. A meeting was held on March 2, 1991, with representatives from the Arctic Red River Band and the Departments of Economic Development and Tourism, Education, and Transportation. As a result of the discussions, the Department of Transportation agreed to reduce the term of the pending Mackenzie River ferry crossing contract from five years to one. The ferry contract will terminate in October, 1992. During this period, planning for a negotiated contract will be undertaken between the Arctic Red River Band Council and the Department of Transportation.
The former Chief, Peter Ross, and the Arctic Red River Band were pleased with the department's efforts to include the community in the operations of its ferry.
Further meetings will take place over the next year to prepare training plans and to negotiate a contract with the Arctic Red River Board to commence operations of the M.V. Louis Cardinal Mackenzie River ferry crossing in May 1993.