Thank you Mr. Chairman. The Department of Transportation mid-year activity report. The Committee was informed by the Minister and his staff the projects and initiatives outlined in the Business Plan were for the most part on schedule. Members noted that virtually all O & M reductions were complete. And that only one person had been laid off although 29 P.Y.'s were cut.
Capital changes. Resolute Bay air terminal. Members questioned why the Resolute Bay air terminal replacement project had been cut back by $633,000.00. The Minister stated that originally this project included a full flight service station. But Transport Canada was now favouring a more automated C.A.R.S. system - Community Aerodrome Radio Station. This change facilitated a saving of $633,000.00. Members noted that the Minister seemed ill prepared to address this issue and were left with numerous questions. Has Transport Canada made a final decision regarding this facility? If such a decision has been made by the federal government members would like to know when it was made.
The department provided the following explanation. $288,000.00 was transferred to the Gjoa Haven airport overlay taxi runway apron project. This additional amount was required to cover increased raw material costs. Crushed gravel for example and lighting systems. $300,000.00 was transferred to Hay River to rehabilitate the existing runway. Frost heaving is a problem in this area and has increased a...pardon me, has created an unsafe landing surface. $45,000.00 was transferred to Cambridge Bay application. This is a pilot project to test the effectiveness of a chemical agent that helps bind gravel together on airport runways. If this project is successful, the department of transportation plans to test its dust control capabilities on local roadways.
The Committee wishes to note that this tembind application project has a total budget of $135,000.00. The balance of $90,000.00 came from the airport upgrading project in Kugluktuk.
I would ask, Mr. Chairman, that Mr. Rabesca continue with the committee report.