Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, over a year ago, I brought up a concern with the PCBs being buried in the north regarding the DEW Line cleanup and I understand a report, on environmental research into polychlorinated biphenals due within this month is expected to strengthen arguments for rescinding a two-year-old ban on landfill materials known to contain PCBs. What is the position of this government on that? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Debates of Sept. 18th, 1998
This is page numbers 81 - 97 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 road.
Topics
Question 51-13(6): Proposal To Bury Dew Line Sites Pcbs
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 92
Edward Picco Iqaluit
Question 51-13(6): Proposal To Bury Dew Line Sites Pcbs
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 92
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. The Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Kakfwi.
Return To Question 51-13(6): Proposal To Bury Dew Line Sites Pcbs
Question 51-13(6): Proposal To Bury Dew Line Sites Pcbs
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 92
Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Government of the Northwest Territories had taken part in the initial discussions with the federal government. A number of years ago, the Department of Environment had taken a position that I think with the support of the Department of National Defence that materials containing PCBs such as paint, should not be disposed of in landfill sites. Subsequent to that, the Department of National Defence asked the Department of Environment and the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs for an exemption for that national policy so that the Department of National Defence could look at using landfill sites to dispose of materials that contain PCBs, for instance, buildings and other infrastructure that were left on site mostly by the U.S. government.
Our government has always questioned the scientific basis on which those decisions were made, but our view has been the materials should all be taken off site, should have remained the responsibility of the Government of the United States and that all materials should have been restored to the original conditions as much as possible. The Canadian government, however, a couple of years ago, for a few million dollars took up the responsibility for cleaning up those sites and released the U.S. government from all further responsibility. Having done that, the Department of National Defence is now asking again if they can be exempt from this policy so they can take the cheapest way possible of disposing of these materials, which is to use landfill sites.
The Minister of Environment, in the meeting we held as Ministers of Environment last week in Inuvik, Christine Stewart said she had not seen and is not considering any change to that policy at this time and would not be complying with any request to make a change in policy at this time. Thank you.
Return To Question 51-13(6): Proposal To Bury Dew Line Sites Pcbs
Question 51-13(6): Proposal To Bury Dew Line Sites Pcbs
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 93
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Picco.
Supplementary To Question 51-13(6): Proposal To Bury Dew Line Sites Pcbs
Question 51-13(6): Proposal To Bury Dew Line Sites Pcbs
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 93
Edward Picco Iqaluit
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I understand that Vic Shenordah the head of the Environmental Canada's Toxic Pollution Prevention Directorate said last Monday, that, indeed, they may or may not be considering changing the landfill policy. So I am wondering, has our government been involved in negotiations to date on reviewing the policy as submitted by the Department of National Defence and as responded to by the Environment Canada at that meeting last week in Inuvik. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Supplementary To Question 51-13(6): Proposal To Bury Dew Line Sites Pcbs
Question 51-13(6): Proposal To Bury Dew Line Sites Pcbs
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 93
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Kakfwi.
Further Return To Question 51-13(6): Proposal To Bury Dew Line Sites Pcbs
Question 51-13(6): Proposal To Bury Dew Line Sites Pcbs
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 93
Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe the Minister of Environment for Canada has said she had not seen such a document or had not seen any reaction by her department in regard to responding to that document. I cannot say that I, as a Minister have seen that document either. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 51-13(6): Proposal To Bury Dew Line Sites Pcbs
Question 51-13(6): Proposal To Bury Dew Line Sites Pcbs
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 93
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Picco.
Supplementary To Question 51-13(6): Proposal To Bury Dew Line Sites Pcbs
Question 51-13(6): Proposal To Bury Dew Line Sites Pcbs
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 93
Edward Picco Iqaluit
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, is the Minister and his department then, involved in negotiations on the application by the Department of National Defence to bury PCBs in the Arctic? Thank you.
Supplementary To Question 51-13(6): Proposal To Bury Dew Line Sites Pcbs
Question 51-13(6): Proposal To Bury Dew Line Sites Pcbs
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 93
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Kakfwi.
Further Return To Question 51-13(6): Proposal To Bury Dew Line Sites Pcbs
Question 51-13(6): Proposal To Bury Dew Line Sites Pcbs
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 93
Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We are involved in a number of discussions regarding assessment of some of the sites and are involved in some of the discussions. Exactly which discussions and the status we take in them, I would have to report back to the Member at a later date. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 51-13(6): Proposal To Bury Dew Line Sites Pcbs
Question 51-13(6): Proposal To Bury Dew Line Sites Pcbs
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 93
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Rabesca.
Question 52-13(6): Snare Lakes Winter Road
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 93
James Rabesca North Slave
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier today, I raised the concern regarding the strong possibility of no winter road being built to Snare Lake. I would like to ask the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Antoine what is the department planning for the community of Snare Lake regarding the winter road reconstruction? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 52-13(6): Snare Lakes Winter Road
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 93
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
The Minister of Transportation, Mr. Antoine.
Return To Question 52-13(6): Snare Lakes Winter Road
Question 52-13(6): Snare Lakes Winter Road
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 93
Jim Antoine Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the honourable Member had mentioned in his Member's statement earlier today that the winter road to Snare Lake has always been connected to the Colomac mine road that ran up there and we kind of attached a road to Snare Lake. The majority of the road is the Colomac road. Now that Royal Oak has pulled out of Colomac mine last year, last year was the last time that they will build this winter road.
Therefore, we are faced with quite an expensive proposition here if we look at putting a winter road in there and that we handle the whole winter road ourself. At the present time, the department does not have any plans to put any winter road into Snare Lake. There is a contingent, however, the Department of Public Works and Services normally solicits departmental cargo requirements around this period in the year in October to determine if a road scenario is required. We also look at a fly-in situation.
I understand there is enough fuel put in there last year to handle this year as well unless they have used up the fuel substantially this year. As far as I know, there is enough fuel in there to last for this year. If there is other building material or goods that are required to be in there and if it is cost-effective, then we will determine whether we look at a road. At the present time, there is no plans at all to put a winter road in there. Thank you.
Return To Question 52-13(6): Snare Lakes Winter Road
Question 52-13(6): Snare Lakes Winter Road
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 93
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Rabesca.
Supplementary To Question 52-13(6): Snare Lakes Winter Road
Question 52-13(6): Snare Lakes Winter Road
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 93
James Rabesca North Slave
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In previous years, the winter road going to Snare Lake, there was some freight subsidy of some sort in place, I would like to ask Mr. Antoine if there is still such a subsidy in place for future freight delivery into the communities? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Supplementary To Question 52-13(6): Snare Lakes Winter Road
Question 52-13(6): Snare Lakes Winter Road
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 93
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Antoine.
Further Return To Question 52-13(6): Snare Lakes Winter Road
Question 52-13(6): Snare Lakes Winter Road
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 93
Jim Antoine Nahendeh
Mr. Speaker, there is transportation
assistance program in effect for those communities who do not receive surface transportation resupply. There is a program that the community is eligible for. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 52-13(6): Snare Lakes Winter Road
Question 52-13(6): Snare Lakes Winter Road
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 94
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Barnabas.
Question 53-13(6): Nanisivik Mine Tailings Pond
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 94
Levi Barnabas High Arctic
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question will be directed to the Minister of RWED, Mr. Stephen Kakfwi. Mr. Speaker, last year I understand QIA said that there was lack of funding to clean up the tailing pond in Nanisivik. Mr. Speaker, I want to know if the government had done anything to increase that funding? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 53-13(6): Nanisivik Mine Tailings Pond
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 94
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
The Minister responsible for Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Kakfwi.
Return To Question 53-13(6): Nanisivik Mine Tailings Pond
Question 53-13(6): Nanisivik Mine Tailings Pond
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 94
Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there was an application last year under the Environmental Rights Act calling for an investigation from the QIA and the investigation has been completed and there should be a report being presented to myself shortly. We will see the letter and the report being presented before the end of this month. Thank you.
Return To Question 53-13(6): Nanisivik Mine Tailings Pond
Question 53-13(6): Nanisivik Mine Tailings Pond
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 94
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Mr. Miltenberger.
Question 54-13(6): Status Of The Highways Strategy
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 94
Michael Miltenberger Thebacha
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is addressed to the Minister of Transportation and it is related to the economic strategy that was discussed earlier. The key component referred to by the Minister of Finance which is the Transportation Strategy that is now underway. Could the Minister indicate the status of this particular very important study? Thank you.