Madam Chairperson. I move that this committee recommends the department gives priority to the clarification of Highway 8 reconstruction.
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
In the Legislative Assembly on April 27th, 1999. See this topic in context.
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 392
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 392
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 392
Seamus Henry Yellowknife South
Thank you, Madam Chairperson. Madam Chairperson, this motion comes pretty fast out of the blue and I will not be supporting this motion because, I mean, I would need a lot more information on what the condition of that particular highway is. I think it is pretty evident from the discussions we have had here between the Minister and Mr. Krutko that there seems to be a difference of opinion as to the quality of the highway. More than that, Madam Chairperson, I accept that there are professional people within the department who are able to assess the standards and qualities of the highway and also, I mean there are many factors and I think the Minister had eluded to that. There are many factors taken into consideration when the department lays out its plans, so just to vote in favour of this at this time without that additional information, to me, would not be acceptable. Thank you, Madam Chairperson.
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 392
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 392
Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Madam Chairperson. I also cannot support this motion. Not that I perhaps would not be understanding of the need to address the Highway 8 reconstruction, it is just that it comes unawares. The motion is coming at me without a lot of information or a lot of knowledge, so under the circumstances I find myself in a situation where I have to vote against the motion. Not that I would be tremendously against the idea of investigating this possibility, but certainly at this particular time I cannot support the motion. Thank you.
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 392
The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Thank you, Mr. Ootes. To the motion. Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is defeated. Inuvik region, total
Inuvik region, $3.2 million. Agreed?
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
April 27th, 1999
Page 393
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 393
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 393
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 393
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 393
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 393
The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Page 10-25, ferries. Operations and maintenance, $3.949 million. Mr. Krutko.
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 393
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 393
The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Thank you. I believe there are eight, including myself. Oh yes, Mr. Steen, as well. Thank you, I believe there is a quorum. Continuing on. Ferries, operations and maintenance, $3.949 million. Agreed?
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 393
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 393
The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Ferries, details of capital, other equipment, Fort Smith region, Total Fort Smith region, $25,000. Agreed?
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 393
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 393
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 393
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 393
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 393
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 393
The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Infrastructure, Fort Smith region. Total Fort Smith region, $700,000. Agreed?
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 393
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 393
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 393
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 393
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 393
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 393
The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Page 10-29, community marine. Operations and maintenance, $115,000. Agreed?
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 393
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 393
The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Community marine, details of capital, contributions, headquarters region. Total headquarters region, $80,000. Agreed?
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 393
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 393
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 393
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 393
The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Infrastructure, headquarters region. Total headquarters region, $150,000. Agreed?
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 393
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 393
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 393
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 393
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 393
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 393
The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Community local access. Roads, operations and maintenance, $75,000. Agreed?
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 393
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 393
The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Community local access roads, grants and contributions. Contributions. Total contributions, $14,000. Agreed?
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 393
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 393
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 393
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 393
The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Community local access roads, details of capital, contributions, headquarters region. Total headquarters region, $60,000. Agreed?
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 393
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 393
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 393
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 393
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 393
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 393
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 394
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 394
The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Infrastructure, headquarters region. Total headquarters region, $20,000. Agreed?
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 394
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 394
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 394
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 394
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 394
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 394
The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Motor Vehicles Program, operations and maintenance, $2.303 million. Agreed?
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 394
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 394
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 394
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 394
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 394
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 394
The Chair Jane Groenewegen
If I am going too fast, please just say so. Total department, $2.795 million. Agreed?
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 394
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 394
The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Turn back to page 10-7, program summary, Department of Transportation. Operations and maintenance, $43,036. Agreed?
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 394
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 394
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 394
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 394
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 394
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 394
The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Does the committee agree that this matter of the Department of Transportation has been concluded? Mr. Krutko.
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 394
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Madam Chairperson. Just before we leave this department, I would like to remind the Minister that he is here to represent all the people of the Northwest Territories and also the people in the department that work for the Department of Transportation. They have to keep in mind that there are more highways out there than the ones around Yellowknife and that you do take into account that whenever there is an accident on the Dempster Highway or any highway in the territories, this government has to take some responsibility for the condition of the roads, especially the gravel road systems we have in the Northwest Territories. In regard to the condition of the Dempster Highway, I have stated it for the record. In case you missed it, I will state it again.
There have been three accidents that I know of personally in the last two years where people were killed. There have been tourists killed on our highway system. When you are on a honeymoon and you go to a new country such as Canada, I am talking about a few Japanese tourists who were killed just outside Fort McPherson. I, for one, drove that highway a day before they had that accident and I told the person who was in charge of that highway system that day when I got to Fort McPherson, which was the day before this accident, someone is going to get killed on that section of the highway because it was not marked. The gravel was loose, and it was in an "s" turn coming down the hill from the Dempster Highway which comes out of the Richardson Mountains to the Peel River. At that time, I basically made it clear to the individual who was in charge of highways in the Inuvik Region that someone was going to get killed. The next day, a tourist couple who just got married and were on their honeymoon was killed at the exact spot where I mentioned someone was going to get killed. Yet, I do not find this department taking it seriously and I would hope to see that they sue the pants off this department and maybe then we will get some attention from the Department of Transportation to take these concerns seriously.
When I state that I am aware of accidents, just in the last couple of weeks a young gentleman by the name of Don Stewart was killed on the Dempster Highway. Yes, alcohol-related, but the portion of the highway where it happened it also a very hazardous spot in which there is a major dip at Frog Creek, which if you are not aware of it and you hit it at any speed then you are going to have an accident. Madam Chairperson, we have to take the safety factor seriously when that component is being dealt with. I, for one, have driven a lot of highways in my day and I have worked on a lot of highways in my day. The majority of that time was on the Dempster Highway. I do not know how much farther to state this, but when I make reference to conditions on the roads and whatnot, there was a Member of the Legislature from the Yukon killed on the Dempster Highway a number of years ago in which this government was sued over $1 million. One million, Madam Chairperson, for the record, yet everybody swept it under the rug and are waiting for the next one to happen.
I know for a fact there is presently a lawsuit filed against Tetlit'Zheh Construction because of an accident that happened on the Dempster Highway and I thought the department might have known about that, yet, I asked the question and the deputy minister did not seem to be aware of it. He is the deputy minister who is responsible for highways in the Northwest Territories. I strongly feel that this government has to take more responsibility in improving not just the highways that have pavement on them, but take into account there are highways which are in worse shape than the paved highways or the chip-sealed portions of the highways in the Western Territory and take into account there is a larger territory than the Fort Smith region in the Northwest Territories. With that, Madam Chairperson, I believe it is on the record, so be it.
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 395
The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Does the committee agree that the Department of Transportation consideration of the appropriation is concluded? Agreed?
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 395
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 395
The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Thank you, Mr. Steen. Thank you, Mr. Vician. Thank you, Mr. Hassan. I will now rise to report progress.
Committee Motion 17-13(7): Giving Priority To Accelerating Highway 8 Reconstruction
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 395
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
The House will come back to order. We are on item 21, report of committee of the whole, Mrs. Groenewegen.