Sergeant-at-Arms, would you like to conduct the people to the witness table, please?
I will ask Mr. Todd to introduce his witness for the record.
Debates of Feb. 28th, 1995
Topics
Bill 1: Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96Committee Report 4-12(7): Report On The Review Of The 1995-96 Main Estimates
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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The Chair Brian Lewis
Bill 1: Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96Committee Report 4-12(7): Report On The Review Of The 1995-96 Main Estimates
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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John Todd Keewatin Central
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. On my immediate right is Mr. Andrew Gamble, deputy minister of Transportation.
Bill 1: Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96Committee Report 4-12(7): Report On The Review Of The 1995-96 Main Estimates
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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The Chair Brian Lewis
Welcome, Mr. Gamble. General comments from Members on the Department of Transportation. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.
General Comments
Bill 1: Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96Committee Report 4-12(7): Report On The Review Of The 1995-96 Main Estimates
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Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I don't really have any specific questions on the budget, but I would like to ask the Minister about devolution of highways across the western Arctic where there are highways. How many current highways are privatized with regard to operation and maintenance? Can the Minister indicate to me what highways are privatized and who are taking care of the contracts? Thank you.
Bill 1: Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96Committee Report 4-12(7): Report On The Review Of The 1995-96 Main Estimates
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 362
The Chair Brian Lewis
Thank you. Mr. Todd.
Bill 1: Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96Committee Report 4-12(7): Report On The Review Of The 1995-96 Main Estimates
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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John Todd Keewatin Central
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I can go through this, if you want, or provide a copy to the honourable Member. Would you like me to go through it?
Bill 1: Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96Committee Report 4-12(7): Report On The Review Of The 1995-96 Main Estimates
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 362
The Chair Brian Lewis
Whatever would satisfy the Member. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.
Bill 1: Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96Committee Report 4-12(7): Report On The Review Of The 1995-96 Main Estimates
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha
If he would provide a copy, so I can look at it, I would appreciate it.
Bill 1: Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96Committee Report 4-12(7): Report On The Review Of The 1995-96 Main Estimates
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 362
The Chair Brian Lewis
Okay, maybe you could do that, Mr. Todd.
Bill 1: Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96Committee Report 4-12(7): Report On The Review Of The 1995-96 Main Estimates
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 362
John Todd Keewatin Central
I will, Mr. Chairman, at the end of this session. Thank you.
Bill 1: Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96Committee Report 4-12(7): Report On The Review Of The 1995-96 Main Estimates
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 362
The Chair Brian Lewis
How soon do you want this information, Mrs. Marie-Jewell?
Bill 1: Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96Committee Report 4-12(7): Report On The Review Of The 1995-96 Main Estimates
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha
I would actually like it as soon as possible in order to address the other questions I have with this budget.
Bill 1: Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96Committee Report 4-12(7): Report On The Review Of The 1995-96 Main Estimates
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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The Chair Brian Lewis
Maybe our people could get a copy of that right away so we can get on with it.
Bill 1: Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96Committee Report 4-12(7): Report On The Review Of The 1995-96 Main Estimates
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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John Todd Keewatin Central
I'm sorry, I should have used the right term. When I said "end of session," I meant by the end of the day. I may be able to provide it right now, I believe we have it in the briefing note.
Bill 1: Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96Committee Report 4-12(7): Report On The Review Of The 1995-96 Main Estimates
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 362
The Chair Brian Lewis
Okay. We will provide that to the Member as soon as possible. General comments. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.
Bill 1: Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96Committee Report 4-12(7): Report On The Review Of The 1995-96 Main Estimates
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha
Mr. Chairman, it has been brought to my attention -- both last fall and more recently -- that the native band in Fort Smith has been attempting to acquire the responsibilities for maintenance of highways. Can the Minister tell me the status of this, whether or not negotiations have started or whether his department has considered privatization of this particular highway?
Bill 1: Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96Committee Report 4-12(7): Report On The Review Of The 1995-96 Main Estimates
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 362
The Chair Brian Lewis
Thank you, Mrs. Marie-Jewell. Mr. Todd.
Bill 1: Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96Committee Report 4-12(7): Report On The Review Of The 1995-96 Main Estimates
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John Todd Keewatin Central
No, at this time there are no negotiations under way with respect to the privatization of that highway system. However, the policy of this department is if there is an interest by different groups, we are prepared to consider any proposals brought forward to us in terms of privatization of highway systems. At this time, I'm advised by Mr. Gamble that there are no discussions under way.
Bill 1: Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96Committee Report 4-12(7): Report On The Review Of The 1995-96 Main Estimates
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 362
The Chair Brian Lewis
For the record, I assume we mean privatization of maintenance of the highway system?
Bill 1: Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96Committee Report 4-12(7): Report On The Review Of The 1995-96 Main Estimates
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 362
John Todd Keewatin Central
That's correct, Mr. Chairman, sorry.
Bill 1: Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96Committee Report 4-12(7): Report On The Review Of The 1995-96 Main Estimates
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 362
The Chair Brian Lewis
Mrs. Marie-Jewell.
Bill 1: Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96Committee Report 4-12(7): Report On The Review Of The 1995-96 Main Estimates
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 362
Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha
I recall quite vividly a letter from Mr. Todd to the band signed off, I think, last October or November, indicating that he would send his officials to address this request. Now Mr. Todd is advising the House that no negotiations have taken place. Can I ask him why?
Bill 1: Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96Committee Report 4-12(7): Report On The Review Of The 1995-96 Main Estimates
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 362
The Chair Brian Lewis
Thank you, Mrs. Marie-Jewell. Mr. Todd.
Bill 1: Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96Committee Report 4-12(7): Report On The Review Of The 1995-96 Main Estimates
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 362
John Todd Keewatin Central
I did write to the band, the Member is correct, sometime in October. We were reviewing the maintenance of the whole highway system. No decision at this time has been made as to what we intend to do. But, I want to assure the honourable Members that I announced in Fort Smith that we will move the issue of privatization of the highway up, in terms of priority. We will see if we can reach a satisfactory arrangement. Thank you.
Bill 1: Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96Committee Report 4-12(7): Report On The Review Of The 1995-96 Main Estimates
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 362
The Chair Brian Lewis
Thank you very much, Mr. Todd. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.