Debates of March 1st, 1995

This is page numbers 369 - 399 of the Hansard for the 12th Assembly, 7th Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was chairman.

Topics

Members Present
Item 1: Prayer
New Rent Scale
Excessive Regulation Of The Mining Industry
Funding Cuts To Cbc
Clarification On Statement Re Ultimate Removal Package
Increase To Gasoline Tax
Impact Of The Federal Budget On Nwt
Consultation Re Implications Of Federal Budget
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
WCB Rates For Taxi Drivers And Staff
Possible O & M Cuts To Nwthc
Development Of Day Care Subsidy Policy
Public Consultation Re Federal Budget
Incentives For Southern Companies To Come North
Impact Of Federal Budget On Justice Programs
Cost Of Tourism Marketing
Review Of WCB Rates For Construction Companies
Status Of Gymnasium For Pelly Bay School
Consumer Affairs Intervention Re Gasoline Tax Increase
Status Of Oil Spill In Repulse Bay
Increase To Gasoline Tax
Development Of Policy For Film Industry
Status Of Museum Library
Tabling Of Education Act
Closure Date For Winter Roads
Procedures For New Rent Scale
Item 10: Petitions
Item 13: Tabling Of Documents
Defence Of Extreme Drunkenness
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Item 22: Orders Of The Day

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John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Let me assure the honourable Member that, at least for this year, the capital is okay. I can't predict what's going to be there in future governments. The Dempster Highway is an important highway and, based on need and the traffic demands -- I believe it is classified under category III, which indicates high traffic demand -- the maintenance level for that highway will be maintained.

I believe I've addressed the issue of the ice roads to the best of my ability. I recognize the importance of these ice roads. I've seen them, et cetera. However, I have to make cuts, as I've said, and I've tried to do it equitably. Regarding the PYs, I don't have that at my fingertips. I would be prepared to provide the honourable Member with a breakdown of the cuts tomorrow, just so I can get it accurate, if that's okay with him. Thank you.

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The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Minister Todd. Highways operations. The chair recognizes the Member for Thebacha, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

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Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'd like to ask the Minister with respect to this particular area while he's providing the information to the Member for Inuvik, if he would provide the information to myself with respect to Highway 5, taking into account what cuts are going to be placed. Mr. Chairman, I'd like to also ask the Minister, under highways operation, the department has over the past couple of years, I believe, developed a policy for the selling of flags to individuals who may have cabins along the highway that need to be cleared of snow. I was just wondering whether or not this policy is in place and whether or not seniors are exempt from this particular policy?

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The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

I remember that. Minister Todd.

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John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Gamble tells me that the policy is in place and where people can demonstrate hardship we just waive the fee. Thank you.

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The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Minister Todd. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

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Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you. I was just wondering, to help seniors avoid having to demonstrate hardship, whether or not the Minister would consider exempting seniors from this particular policy. Also, is it possible to obtain a copy of that particular policy? Thank you.

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The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mrs. Marie-Jewell. Minister Todd.

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John Todd Keewatin Central

Yes. Yes, to both. Thank you.

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The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Minister Todd. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

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Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you. This policy on the clearing of highways is a concern to some of my constituents, the ones who have trappers' cabins along the highway. I guess they're concerned about the lack of applying this policy consistently. We currently have a foreman in the community of Fort Smith who does clearing of roadways into the Alberta area toward one particular area called Four-Mile Lake. He has recently, apparently, cleared roads and never applied any charges to the individuals. The road toward the bison ranch is cleared continually and I suspect it's in conjunction with the Department of Renewable Resources but, at the same time, the same highway foreman has his trapline fairly close to that place so it's an advantage for him to keep that road cleared.

I want to indicate to the Minister that when he was in Fort Smith, I suggested that he take a tour of that whole highway area mainly because that highway's garage is used many times for personal reasons. There are always personal trucks parked in there, there are always ski-doos parked in there, or dogsleds parked in there. I think these things have to be avoided because you do have local garages, in the event that you want to park your personal items in there. I'd appreciate it if the Minister could ensure that these types of items are not placed in the local garage that's supposed to be used for highway vehicles.

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The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mrs. Marie-Jewell. Minister Todd.

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John Todd Keewatin Central

Yes, Mr. Chairman, I will look into that issue. Mrs. Marie-Jewell did allude to it when I was in Fort Smith recently. Unfortunately, my schedule didn't allow me to visit that particular area but I did bring it to the deputy minister's attention upon my return. We are looking into it at this time and will take whatever steps are necessary to correct it if it's happening. I have no reason to disbelieve the honourable Member that it isn't so. It's certainly not our intent. We don't want government facilities used for private use. There's free enterprise out there doing its thing. Thank you.

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The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Minister Todd. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

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Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you. I have total confidence that the Minister will address this issue accordingly. In closing, I want to thank the Minister, since I wasn't able to discuss the capital budget, for being able to address our concern about chip sealing the beginning of Highway 5. The community has appreciated it and I have greatly appreciated it. Thank you very much.

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The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

It sounded like there were kudos in there, Mr. Minister. Highway operation, operation and maintenance, total O and M, $18.211 million.

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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

---Agreed

Arctic Airports

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February 28th, 1995

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The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Arctic airports, operations and maintenance, total O and M. The chair recognizes the Member for Inuvik, Mr. Koe.

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Fred Koe Inuvik

I'm just curious if there are any monies in this activity for the Arctic A airports.

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The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Koe. Minister Todd.

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John Todd Keewatin Central

No, Mr. Chairman, there are none.

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The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Minister Todd. Mr. Koe.

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Fred Koe Inuvik

Can the Minister then tell us the status of the transfer of Arctic A airports?

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The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Koe. Minister Todd.

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John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, we have an agreement in principle with Transport Canada. We're optimistic that this signing is imminent and right now we're working towards an orderly transition process, for us to take over July 1st, I believe it is. Thank you.