This is page numbers 203 - 234 of the Hansard for the 14th Assembly, 2nd 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 chairman.

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Further Return To Question 107-14(2): Reductions In Highway Spending
Oral Question 107-14(2): Reductions In Highway Spending
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 214

Vince Steen

Vince Steen Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am sure that the Member is aware that the five-year capital plan put forth by this government is proposed expenditure. The only real expenditures are the ones in the existing year and that are approved by this Assembly on an annual basis through the budget process. The others are just forecasted expenditures.

In some cases we have multi-year projects and again, even in multi-year projects, the budget expenditures for those particular years have to be approved by this Assembly. The departments use the five-year capital plans as a guidance as to what the expenditures will be in the future. The department has been doing this and working with the Assembly and the communities in establishing the five-year capital plans.

In particular reference to Highway No. 3, this is a multi-year project that has been going on for a long time. As I said to the Member earlier, we did considerations of cuts to all highway expenditures. We did consider Highway No. 3, but we have nothing to implement on Highway No. 3 because of the profit value, the fact that it is an ongoing multi-year project. We did not do any cuts to Highway No. 3, but we did consider it. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 107-14(2): Reductions In Highway Spending
Oral Question 107-14(2): Reductions In Highway Spending
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 214

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Minister Steen. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Supplementary To Question 107-14(2): Reductions In Highway Spending
Oral Question 107-14(2): Reductions In Highway Spending
Item 6: Oral Questions

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David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it seems to me that we are robbing from the poor to give to the rich. The people that really do not need it have all of the money in their pockets while the poor people at the bottom of the line do not have any money. Looking at the numbers, Mr. Speaker, it is pretty clear the majority of the cuts that have taken place, have taken place on roads where, in my mind, the upkeep will cost more in the long run.

For Highway No. 3, we are talking about 73 kilometres of road that has to be maintained. Yet we are putting half of the budget of this government into 73 kilometres. We have 2200 kilometres of highway out there, yet we are spending half the money of this department on a section of road that is 100 kilometres long where we have already poured $8.6 million into it last year.

I would like to ask the Minister again. When will the Minister fairly distribute this money knowing we have to maintain 2200 kilometres of road and not just 100?

Supplementary To Question 107-14(2): Reductions In Highway Spending
Oral Question 107-14(2): Reductions In Highway Spending
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 214

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The Minister responsible for the Department of Transportation, Mr. Steen.

Further Return To Question 107-14(2): Reductions In Highway Spending
Oral Question 107-14(2): Reductions In Highway Spending
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Vince Steen

Vince Steen Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, again, I will have to repeat myself to some degree. We do not do highway distribution of funds based on any politics. It is based on need. Again, the department only advises the government as to where the need is and where we should make the expenditures.

The final decision is up to this Assembly. If this Assembly indicates to the department that we are going to spend all of our money on Highway No. 8, then the department will do it. But this Assembly has to...

-- Applause

Mr. Speaker, this Assembly gives us direction. We just recommend as a department where to spend the money. It is not based on politics. It is based on need. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Further Return To Question 107-14(2): Reductions In Highway Spending
Oral Question 107-14(2): Reductions In Highway Spending
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 215

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Steen. Final supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Supplementary To Question 107-14(2): Reductions In Highway Spending
Oral Question 107-14(2): Reductions In Highway Spending
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 215

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I feel the sympathy coming from the Minister and I want to take advantage of that by asking for $60 million to conclude the construction on Highway No. 8, but I know that it is not realistic.

But since I am such a realistic person, all I am asking for is what is in the five-year capital plan, which was the $2.5 million for the next four years? I want to ensure that money will be there to conclude the construction of Highway No. 8. Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 107-14(2): Reductions In Highway Spending
Oral Question 107-14(2): Reductions In Highway Spending
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 215

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The Minister responsible for the Department of Transportation, Mr. Steen.

Further Return To Question 107-14(2): Reductions In Highway Spending
Oral Question 107-14(2): Reductions In Highway Spending
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 215

Vince Steen

Vince Steen Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker as I have said earlier, the department has indicated to Cabinet that we can only afford cuts for so long. We are going to have to start putting the money back, and start doing those improvements to the highway. We are not recommending any more cuts at this time. We are hoping that our financial situation will improve enough that we can do these jobs that were originally in the capital plan. We are hoping to be able to catch up, and I am sure I am not the only department.

I know that Municipal and Community Affairs is in the same situation, where they have deferred much-needed capital programs, the same with the schools. So my department is not alone. We are all putting forward a hope that the Premier will be successful in finding more funding for us. That is all I can say Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 107-14(2): Reductions In Highway Spending
Oral Question 107-14(2): Reductions In Highway Spending
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 215

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Steen. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Bell.

Brendan Bell

Brendan Bell Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In keeping with the theme of patting ourselves on the back, I would like first to congratulate the Premier for assigning Mr. Handley to the Diavik file when it seemed necessary, as Mr. Handley did such a fine job on that. My question relates to further projects coming down the pipe here. A few of us at PDAC saw some presentations on the next projects. For instance, one project that comes to mind is the Winspear project at Snap Lake. It looks like it is going to be required to divert very little water. It is going to be labour intensive and leave a very small footprint.

But I am wondering if the Premier can commit to taking a proactive approach to this project and others, and assign a Minister to these files before we run into problems?

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Bell. The Minister responsible for the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, the Honourable Stephen Kakfwi.

Return To Question 108-14(2): Proactive Approach To New Diamond Projects
Oral Question 108-14(2): Proactive Approach To New Diamond Projects
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 215

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That is a good suggestion and it will be considered. Thank you.

Return To Question 108-14(2): Proactive Approach To New Diamond Projects
Oral Question 108-14(2): Proactive Approach To New Diamond Projects
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 215

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Supplementary, Mr. Bell.

Supplementary To Question 108-14(2): Proactive Approach To New Diamond Projects
Oral Question 108-14(2): Proactive Approach To New Diamond Projects
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 215

Brendan Bell

Brendan Bell Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When will you consider it, Mr. Premier?

-- Laughter

Supplementary To Question 108-14(2): Proactive Approach To New Diamond Projects
Oral Question 108-14(2): Proactive Approach To New Diamond Projects
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 215

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Mr. Premier.

Further Return To Question 108-14(2): Proactive Approach To New Diamond Projects
Oral Question 108-14(2): Proactive Approach To New Diamond Projects
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I understand that Winspear has requested a meeting with our government. We will be arranging a meeting as soon as possible. Following that, there will be discussions amongst ourselves as Ministers. We have agreed as a Cabinet to share the work, to share the decision making and responsibility for things that befall us. Mostly good things, I hope.

It is an inclusive approach to the work we have taken. So no single Minister is solely responsible for departments. We try to share in the planning, strategizing and the energy and effort that has gone into trying to make good things happen all across the government.

It will be done and will be discussed very shortly. In the next few weeks, you will probably hear of it as we start into the month of April. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 108-14(2): Proactive Approach To New Diamond Projects
Oral Question 108-14(2): Proactive Approach To New Diamond Projects
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 215

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. Supplementary, Mr. Bell.

Supplementary To Question 108-14(2): Proactive Approach To New Diamond Projects
Oral Question 108-14(2): Proactive Approach To New Diamond Projects
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 216

Brendan Bell

Brendan Bell Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you very much, Mr. Premier, for the "when". I would like to address the "who". I would suggest that given Mr. Handley's experience with Diavik, recognizing various pitfalls that companies have to deal with in our regulatory process, Mr. Handley might be ideally suited for this. I wonder if the Premier can tell us if he will assign the file to Mr. Handley? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 108-14(2): Proactive Approach To New Diamond Projects
Oral Question 108-14(2): Proactive Approach To New Diamond Projects
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Mr. Premier.

Further Return To Question 108-14(2): Proactive Approach To New Diamond Projects
Oral Question 108-14(2): Proactive Approach To New Diamond Projects
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 216

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I have said, we try to be inclusive, so we hear the Member's remarks as we discuss how and who will do the work that is facing us. Who will be involved in it will be taken into account, yes.

Further Return To Question 108-14(2): Proactive Approach To New Diamond Projects
Oral Question 108-14(2): Proactive Approach To New Diamond Projects
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 216

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Hay River North, Mr. Paul Delorey.

Paul Delorey

Paul Delorey Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know question period is getting short, so I will be quick on this. I would like a commitment from the Minister responsible for Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, as to whether or not he could tell me, is there any money or specific plans to deal with the agricultural issue that I mentioned in my Member's statement, so that I could give some assurance to my constituents that the government is serious about looking at agriculture in this Session. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Delorey. The Minister responsible for the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, the Honourable Mr. Kakfwi.

Return To Question 109-14(2): Dealing With Northwest Territories Agriculture
Oral Question 109-14(2): Dealing With Northwest Territories Agriculture
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There has been some discussion with the Territorial Farmers Association recently. There has been, as well, an expectation that the draft economic strategy should become available to us in the next two weeks. So it will be interesting to see what this advisory panel has to recommend, and what their initial comments might be regarding prospects of the future of agriculture in the Northwest Territories, whether it is commercially viable, on what basis that might be argued, or whether we are looking at agriculture from mostly a domestic type of approach. At this time, the Member knows there is no agriculture policy in this government. We are waiting for more discussions between the department and the association as well as whatever the economic advisory panel will provide to us in the form of their draft report, which we will share with the Members. Thank you.