Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I, too, cannot vote in support of this motion. As the honourable Member from Yellowknife South has indicated, we are waiting for information as to whether this work can wait until later. We have heard that it is more expensive to let paved runways deteriorate, than try to do it later. I think, at this time when we are trying to save money, it is not wise to let a runway deteriorate so it will cost us more later, if we do not have to. At this time, I cannot just agree to spread the money around to smaller communities without sufficient information to make a decision on, Thank you.
Debates of Feb. 14th, 1997
Topics
Committee Motion 13-13(4): Recommendation To Redistribute $2 Million To Gravel Runway Projects In Smaller Communities
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 657
Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North
Committee Motion 13-13(4): Recommendation To Redistribute $2 Million To Gravel Runway Projects In Smaller Communities
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 657
Committee Motion 13-13(4): Recommendation To Redistribute $2 Million To Gravel Runway Projects In Smaller Communities
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 657
John Ningark Natilikmiot
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I need money for my airports in Taloyoak, Gjoa Haven. However, Mr. Chairman, we talked about being fair, we talked about being equitable in this government. We are the public government. We have a consensus type of government. I think we should try and understand each other. Either the money is for the eastern Arctic or western Arctic, it is in the budget. This is one government, thereby, Mr. Chairman, I am not going to be supporting the motion. Thank you.
Committee Motion 13-13(4): Recommendation To Redistribute $2 Million To Gravel Runway Projects In Smaller Communities
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 657
The Chair Vince Steen
Thank you, Mr, Ningark. To the motion. Are we prepared for question? Before I call question, I will ask Mr. O'Brien. Would you like to have the last word on the motion?
Committee Motion 13-13(4): Recommendation To Redistribute $2 Million To Gravel Runway Projects In Smaller Communities
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 657
Kevin O'Brien Kivallivik
Mr. Chairman, I think I have said enough for today. It is hard to hear what the Premier is saying when he is hiding behind those flowers over there. I believe that the point was made. The point was made loud and clear. The success of the motion is not important. It is the principle. As far as I am concerned, the point has made very clear what the issue is. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Committee Motion 13-13(4): Recommendation To Redistribute $2 Million To Gravel Runway Projects In Smaller Communities
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 657
The Chair Vince Steen
Thank you, Mr. O'Brien. Question? All those in favour. No. Who? Just to inform the committee. I do not have a request here for a recorded vote, so I am just going to call question. All those in favour. Mr. Ng.
Committee Motion 13-13(4): Recommendation To Redistribute $2 Million To Gravel Runway Projects In Smaller Communities
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 657
Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I was trying to get your attention to request a recorded vote. I would ask that you indulge that. Thank you.
Committee Motion 13-13(4): Recommendation To Redistribute $2 Million To Gravel Runway Projects In Smaller Communities
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 657
Committee Motion 13-13(4): Recommendation To Redistribute $2 Million To Gravel Runway Projects In Smaller Communities
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 657
Mark Evaloarjuk Amittuq
(Translation) Mr. Chairman, I just wanted to state that I will be supporting this motion. Mostly for Pond Inlet, because the Pond Inlet airstrip has not been extended for over ten years. We know that the airstrip is in good condition. They have good equipment in that area. We have been seeking to fix the airstrips in the smaller communities, where they do not get jet services. I feel that there is a good airstrip in that area. I will be supporting this motion. Thank you. (Translation ends)
Committee Motion 13-13(4): Recommendation To Redistribute $2 Million To Gravel Runway Projects In Smaller Communities
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 657
The Chair Vince Steen
Thank you, Mr. Evaloarjuk. I would like to inform the committee, Mr. Ng, you did not have a point of order. The mover had the right to close the debate on the motion. I called to the motion and no one wanted to speak. That is why Mr. O'Brien spoke to it and finalized the discussion. Also, there seems to be a misunderstanding on the part of Mr. Evaloarjuk as well, in that he spoke to the motion after Mr. O'Brien did. I am going to leave that as a misunderstanding on the part of Mr. Evaloarjuk to the proceedings. Right now I will ask if we are prepared to call question. Mr. Evaloarjuk.
Committee Motion 13-13(4): Recommendation To Redistribute $2 Million To Gravel Runway Projects In Smaller Communities
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 657
Mark Evaloarjuk Amittuq
(Translation) Mr. Chairman. I put up my hand a couple of times and I feel that I did have a right to speak. You did not look my way when I had my hand a couple of times. Thank you very much. (Translation ends)
Committee Motion 13-13(4): Recommendation To Redistribute $2 Million To Gravel Runway Projects In Smaller Communities
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 657
The Chair Vince Steen
Thank you, Mr. Evaloarjuk and I apologize for not seeing your hand. Are we back to question? Are we prepared for question? All those in favour of the motion. Down. All those opposed. Thank you. The motion is defeated. Building and works, Fort Smith region. Total region $2,120,000. I have a list here of those that still wanted to speak. I have Mr. Henry, Mr. Picco, Mr. Barnabas, and Mr. Rabesca. I will now recognize Mr. Henry.
Committee Motion 13-13(4): Recommendation To Redistribute $2 Million To Gravel Runway Projects In Smaller Communities
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 657
Seamus Henry Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I had asked the Minister questions earlier, some of which he did not give responses to. I believe he may have that information now. If not, when could it be provided? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Committee Motion 13-13(4): Recommendation To Redistribute $2 Million To Gravel Runway Projects In Smaller Communities
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 657
Committee Motion 13-13(4): Recommendation To Redistribute $2 Million To Gravel Runway Projects In Smaller Communities
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 657
Jim Antoine Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I think I provided most of the information that the Member has asked for. In regards to the Fort Smith airport, it would have been paved if Transport Canada had retained its
services. They would have paved it in 1996/97. Since this was transferred to us last year, we deferred it until this year. Yes, there is jet service, I was told five days a week, but now I am told it is six days a week. That is the correction here. If we leave the air strip to deteriorate any further, it is going to cause problems for safety and aircraft take off and landings. It will cost more in the future to repair, but this is part of our commitments during the Arctic A transfer. Thank you.
Committee Motion 13-13(4): Recommendation To Redistribute $2 Million To Gravel Runway Projects In Smaller Communities
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 658
Committee Motion 13-13(4): Recommendation To Redistribute $2 Million To Gravel Runway Projects In Smaller Communities
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 658
Seamus Henry Yellowknife South
Thank you. My final question, Mr. Chairman. Is a process used, is the expertise in-house or is the expertise contracted in the decision process as to the conditions of runways and the need for them to be upgraded or repaired? Is there engineering expertise in the department or is it contracted outside of the department?. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Committee Motion 13-13(4): Recommendation To Redistribute $2 Million To Gravel Runway Projects In Smaller Communities
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 658
Committee Motion 13-13(4): Recommendation To Redistribute $2 Million To Gravel Runway Projects In Smaller Communities
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 658
Jim Antoine Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, in general the process is that we have in-house engineers who have expertise in analyzing the infrastructure in place. We also use combinations. Sometimes we use outside consultants that have expertise in certain areas. We get them on contract basis to do some analysis at different times. Normally, we try to keep in-house as much as possible. In this case, we have inhouse people who are experts in runways and overlays and we utilize their expertise. Thank you.
Committee Motion 13-13(4): Recommendation To Redistribute $2 Million To Gravel Runway Projects In Smaller Communities
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 658
The Chair Vince Steen
Thank you, Mr. Antoine. I have buildings and works, Fort Smith region. Total region, $2,120,000. I have Mr. Picco.
Committee Motion 13-13(4): Recommendation To Redistribute $2 Million To Gravel Runway Projects In Smaller Communities
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 658
Edward Picco Iqaluit
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, on this line I have some questions on the ERS in Iqaluit. The department had put together a good report stating that ERS was in need based on the federal regulations that take in account the number of passengers, so on, and so forth. The federal regulations do not take in account the unique geographic location of the airport or the weather because the airport is the only access to Iqaluit that we have. We do not have any roads. It serves as a hub for 13 other communities. So, my question to the Minister is, I understand in the federal regulations on the transfer of the ERS to Arctic airports from the federal government there were residuals and incremental money to pay for the ERS up to and including the year 2001. Is that correct?.
Committee Motion 13-13(4): Recommendation To Redistribute $2 Million To Gravel Runway Projects In Smaller Communities
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 658
Committee Motion 13-13(4): Recommendation To Redistribute $2 Million To Gravel Runway Projects In Smaller Communities
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 658
Jim Antoine Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, the ERS in Iqaluit was funded until we took it over during the Arctic A transfer. We funded from in-house pending the regulation development for the national ERS regulation. Thank you.
Committee Motion 13-13(4): Recommendation To Redistribute $2 Million To Gravel Runway Projects In Smaller Communities
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 658
Committee Motion 13-13(4): Recommendation To Redistribute $2 Million To Gravel Runway Projects In Smaller Communities
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 658
Edward Picco Iqaluit
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, so the Minister is saying that there was nothing in the original federal agreement from Transport Canada indicating that there would be incremental dollars for the ERS services. Is that what he is saying?