This is page numbers 293 - 307 of the Hansard for the 13th Assembly, 6th 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 community.

Further Return To Question 169-13(6): Application Of Protected Area Strategy
Question 169-13(6): Application Of Protected Area Strategy
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 298

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Oral questions. Mr. Krutko.

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Transportation, regarding my Member's statement and the situation that Tsiigehtchic finds itself in with the isolation every year of almost three to four months in which the community is cut off from the rest of the other communities in the Delta that surround it. Also, in the case of emergencies, it is difficult getting goods and services into that community during that period of time. I would like to ask the Minister, what is being done to improve the air links to the community of Tsiigehtchic at this time?

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Minister of Transportation, Mr. Antoine.

Return To Question 170-13(6): Air Links To Tsiigehtchic
Question 170-13(6): Air Links To Tsiigehtchic
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 298

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the situation in Tsiigehtchic has been there for a number of years now. During the spring break-up and the fall freeze-up, the community finds itself isolated to a certain degree. However, there are helicopter services there for medical reasons. The department has done studies to look at different options and I am told by the department that the studies indicate that the existing transportation system with helicopter medevac services is the most cost-effective means of transportation access at this time. Although the helicopter landing situation is not really safe, the department had gone into the community of Tsiigehtchic this summer and made plans to relocate the helipad to a new location during this coming fiscal year so that should alleviate their problem. As for a permanent airstrip, again I have to go back to the financial situation of the department, it is difficult to make a large financial commitment at this time for any type of airport. Thank you.

Return To Question 170-13(6): Air Links To Tsiigehtchic
Question 170-13(6): Air Links To Tsiigehtchic
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 298

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Supplementary To Question 170-13(6): Air Links To Tsiigehtchic
Question 170-13(6): Air Links To Tsiigehtchic
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 298

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister tell me exactly what the amount of the expenditure is going to be for this particular project? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 170-13(6): Air Links To Tsiigehtchic
Question 170-13(6): Air Links To Tsiigehtchic
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 298

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Antoine.

Further Return To Question 170-13(6): Air Links To Tsiigehtchic
Question 170-13(6): Air Links To Tsiigehtchic
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 298

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this is something that will be going into the business plan and has not been approved yet. It is just an estimate at this time. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 170-13(6): Air Links To Tsiigehtchic
Question 170-13(6): Air Links To Tsiigehtchic
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 298

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Supplementary To Question 170-13(6): Air Links To Tsiigehtchic
Question 170-13(6): Air Links To Tsiigehtchic
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 298

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister tell me in a ballpark figure, are we talking similar expenditure for other helipad facilities, for instance, in Fort Good Hope or Fort McPherson, that already exist? Is that what we are talking about, the general helipad constructed on a similar basis as in other communities? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 170-13(6): Air Links To Tsiigehtchic
Question 170-13(6): Air Links To Tsiigehtchic
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 298

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Antoine.

Further Return To Question 170-13(6): Air Links To Tsiigehtchic
Question 170-13(6): Air Links To Tsiigehtchic
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 298

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it will be a helipad comparable to other ones that we have constructed in other communities. I cannot give the Member a round figure at this time, it is still in the process of being put into the business plan and we still have to go through the process of approving it. It is in the plans to get it done. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 170-13(6): Air Links To Tsiigehtchic
Question 170-13(6): Air Links To Tsiigehtchic
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 298

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Oral questions. Mr. Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is addressed to the Minister of Public Works and Services in regard to the concerns I raised in this House earlier about NorthwesTel and the complaints I have received. The concerns I have raised and we have heard in this House, are symptomatic of concerns across the north. I recognize the issue of telecommunications is very complicated with rates, zones, large centres and small centres, but there is a concern that NorthwesTel as a monopoly is complacent and tend to take things for granted. I do not think that the digital communications network is going to resolve all of the problems or existing concerns. My question to the Minister is, would he be prepared to write to the president and pass on the fact that there are concerns raised in this House and that he thinks the president should devote some personal attention to these issues? Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Minister of Public Works and Services, Mr. Antoine.

Return To Question 171-13(6): Communications Concerns In The Nwt
Question 171-13(6): Communications Concerns In The Nwt
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 299

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it is correct that the company, NorthwesTel is a private company, and we cannot really tell it what to do. However, since this government is NorthwesTel's single largest customer, whenever we give them some direction or pass on our concerns they usually listen. I think in this case, I will pass on the concerns of the honourable Member to the president of NorthwesTel and see if he can put his own personal attention to this matter. Thank you.

Return To Question 171-13(6): Communications Concerns In The Nwt
Question 171-13(6): Communications Concerns In The Nwt
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 299

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Supplementary To Question 171-13(6): Communications Concerns In The Nwt
Question 171-13(6): Communications Concerns In The Nwt
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 299

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, would the Minister also indicate that in fact, the concerns are not just restricted to Fort Smith or possibly Yellowknife, but I would bet if you approached the MLAs they would have concerns that they have heard from their constituents. The point I think is important, if the Minister would commit to addressing, is pointing out to NorthwesTel that competition is coming and customer loyalty is hard to earn and easy to lose. Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 171-13(6): Communications Concerns In The Nwt
Question 171-13(6): Communications Concerns In The Nwt
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 299

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Antoine.

Further Return To Question 171-13(6): Communications Concerns In The Nwt
Question 171-13(6): Communications Concerns In The Nwt
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 299

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Mr. Speaker, I will pass on the concern to NorthwesTel. Even today here with the number of different concerns that were raised in Members' statements regarding communication and especially with the type of services that is being provided by NorthwesTel, there is a serious concern out there and I certainly will pass on the concern to the president of NorthwesTel. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 171-13(6): Communications Concerns In The Nwt
Question 171-13(6): Communications Concerns In The Nwt
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 299

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Oral questions. Mr. Rabesca

Question 172-13(6): Funding Assistance For Rae-edzo Airstrip
Item 6: Oral Questions

November 5th, 1998

Page 299

James Rabesca North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier today, I discussed the success of the Rae-Edzo airstrip considering a lack of support this government has provided. At this time, I would like to ask the Minister responsible for the Department of Transportation, the honourable Mr. Antoine, if he is prepared to assist the community by providing necessary funding for resources to stockpile material needed to complete the design of this very important initiative? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Minister of Transportation, Mr. Antoine.

Return To Question 172-13(6): Funding Assistance For Rae-edzo Airstrip
Question 172-13(6): Funding Assistance For Rae-edzo Airstrip
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 299

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker,

I have been dealing with this issue with Grand Chief Joe Rabesca for a number of months now. Their last meeting was in mid-September and at that time the Grand Chief had also requested some funding for the airport that they are attempting to build in Rae-Edzo and requested some financial assistance. What the department had asked him to do is to see if our officials in the Department of Transportation could work with their officials to determine exactly what stage in the whole airport development they are at. From there, we will determine what the cost of this whole initiative is going to be so that we have an idea of what type of funding is required to build this airport. However, at this point in time, we are still in that type of mode. We need to know from the work that is supposed to get done by these people that we are tasked with, and once they come back to us, we will have a better idea what it is that we are dealing with. At this point in time, we have not really committed any funds to do any work there yet, but we still are wanting to explore what we are dealing with first, before we make any decision in that matter. Thank you.

Return To Question 172-13(6): Funding Assistance For Rae-edzo Airstrip
Question 172-13(6): Funding Assistance For Rae-edzo Airstrip
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 299

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Rabesca.