In the Legislative Assembly on February 28th, 2005. See this topic in context.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1620

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I move that this committee recommends that the Department of Transportation revisit their chipseal overlay project and look at diverting these funds to much needed highway reconstruction projects. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1620

The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The motion is being circulated. Thank you. The motion is in order.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1620

An Hon. Member

Question.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1620

The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Thank you. Page 10-23, highways, operations expenditure summary, $37,587 million.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1620

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1620

The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Page 10-24, activity summary, highways. Mr. Hawkins.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1620

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. If I might refer to winter roads, it's $1.882 million. If the Minister could provide me the amount spent on the Tuk-Inuvik highway, could I have the breakout of that? Thank you.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1620

The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. McLeod.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1620

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The amount for the Tuk winter ice road is roughly half-a-million dollars a year.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1620

The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Hawkins.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1620

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you. At this time, that will be fine. I did mean to say Tuk-Inuvik winter road. Although, if I keep saying highway maybe the government will change their mind eventually. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1620

The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Back to page 10-24, committee.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1620

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1620

The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Pages 10-26 and 10-27, highways, active positions. Mr. Zoe.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1620

Henry Zoe

Henry Zoe North Slave

As I indicated earlier in my general comments, Mr. Chairman, with regard to positions, particularly in the Tlicho section under page 10-26, we have only five full-time and two casuals that are budgeted, for a total of seven. I guess my question to the Minister is, a number of years ago, I don't know the exact year, but the highway camp at Edzo had a mechanic position and a clerk position. For some reason the department had wiped that off the org chart for that particular camp. I recall those mechanics being there and I knew them years ago, but they haven't been filled and all of a sudden I'm looking for them and they're not even on the org chart. They had a clerk position to do paperwork, to answer the phones, to pick up mail for the camp office there and to do errands and so forth. These two positions were never filled and I'm wondering why they all of a sudden disappeared from the Tlicho camp.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1620

The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Thank you, Mr. Zoe. Mr. McLeod.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1620

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Mr. Chairman, we'd need to get more information on the actual positions that he's referring to. It must have been some time ago. We don't

have those positions listed for this coming year; we didn't have them for the last year or last couple of years. So I'm assuming it's possibly further than seven or eight years ago. Right now we do not have those positions on our books. We're not reducing the Tlicho positions or the North Slave positions for highways.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1621

The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Follow-up, Mr. Zoe.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1621

Henry Zoe

Henry Zoe North Slave

Well, maybe I'll get our research department to look into it so I can maybe assist the Minister and show it on the org chart and what year the changes occurred. I'm sure his department can find that out, too. But it is those two positions and I'd like to ask the Minister if he would consider reinstating those two particular positions. The reason I'm saying this, Mr. Chairman, is that these two positions were very fundamental to the operation of the camp and the five people we have there in permanent positions, a lot of them usually go on holidays and we have to hire more casuals. Especially now, Mr. Chairman, with the mining industry and tourism industry, they're taking up all kinds of people and it's hard for our camp to maintain the operators. I think right now is a critical time to reinstate those two positions for that particular camp.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1621

The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Thank you, Mr. Zoe. Mr. McLeod.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1621

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Mr. Chairman, we certainly can commit to looking back in our records to see what year the Member is referring to. At this point, we've been operating without those positions for, by my estimation, about six or seven years. In order for us to reinstate those positions, we'd have to be able to identify those dollars. However, the Member has raised concerns about the camp and the impact that resource development may be having. We will commit to reviewing the situation and take a look at what our staff positions are. As part of this exercise, Mr. Chairman, we have looked at all our positions. We have, of course, had to undergo reduction exercises, also. But I will certainly commit that we will take another look at it and focus on the Rae-Edzo base camp and have those discussions with the Member.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1621

The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Zoe.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1621

Henry Zoe

Henry Zoe North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My understanding was because of our fiscal restraint, that all of a sudden it disappeared. But we're in a different situation now. For the last few years your camp over there in my area has been crying, but nobody's been listening to them because the top-down people weren't talking to them and listening to them, even though they were crying. Now they're starting to cry. I see them day to day over here. So hopefully the Minister will seriously consider reinstating the need for that particular camp. If he could do it in this 2005-06 fiscal year, good; but, if not, then the next business cycle. Thank you.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1621

The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Thank you, Mr. Zoe. Mr. McLeod.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1621

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Mr. Chairman, I can't commit to anything further than having the discussions and taking a look at the base camp in Rae-Edzo. We just went through a real exercise of reducing a number of positions. I'm certainly not in a position to commit to increasing any of the highway camps at this point, unless there's a real justification for it. I would have to take that to my Cabinet colleagues and FMBS for that. So I certainly will, as I indicated before, commit to the Member that we will take a look and see why the positions were cut historically and have a discussion amongst ourselves to see if there is a need for an additional position or two, as the Member has indicated. That's as far as I can commit at this point.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1621

The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Zoe.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1621

Henry Zoe

Henry Zoe North Slave

Now you're going to hear from me speaking on this issue. Mr. Chairman, you know, I've asked the Minister to make a certain commitment and he's reluctant to right now. Other Ministers in this House have made commitments; for instance, Hay River. It's always the small communities that are getting hit, especially with PYs being cut. Here we are, asking this particular Minister if he can do that. If the other government Ministers are doing that for the city of Yellowknife, Hay River, Inuvik, why not for the smaller communities? The smaller communities have been asking you to do this kind of stuff and now I would like to ask the Minister if he would make that kind of commitment right now. Thank you.

---Applause

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1621

The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Thank you, Mr. Zoe. Mr. McLeod.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1621

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Mr. Chairman, this is the first time we've heard this request to increase the staffing at the Rae-Edzo base camp because there is a shortage of staff in that camp. I'm certainly not in a position to say yes we're going to increase it, when we have to justify the need, we have to be able to identify the resources in terms of the finances. I can't commit to that. I did commit that we'd look at the situation and we'd share that information. If there is a need, we will look at how we can accommodate it. If there isn't, then we will demonstrate why there isn't a requirement for additional staff. That's as far as I can go, Mr. Chairman.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1621

The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Zoe.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1621

Henry Zoe

Henry Zoe North Slave

Mr. Chairman, you know, if the Minister takes a review of those two positions I'm talking about, it could be easily justified. I can tell you that. It's needed. I know it's needed because those positions were there before and now, all of a sudden, it's been taken out. I'm asking again if the Minister would, after you do your research, reconsider reinstating those two PYs. Every other department does. RWED did it. They got a brand-new split department with how many positions coming to Yellowknife? It is the same with the Housing Corporation and the same with Education, Justice; particularly in Justice. It's only two little PYs I'm talking about. If you can't do that, why can't you stand up to the other Ministers who are doing that for their own departments? Thank you.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1621

The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Thank you, Mr. Zoe. Mr. McLeod.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1621

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Mr. Chairman, it's not a matter of standing up to anybody. It's a matter of quantifying if there's a need in that area. I'm committed to doing that. As a first step, if there is a demonstrated need in that area for more PYs, we'll certainly commit to taking that forward for additional money or resources, as

required. But, first of all, we have to take a look at the situation. We haven't had any other requests up to now. This is the first time we're hearing about it.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1622

The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Zoe.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1622

Henry Zoe

Henry Zoe North Slave

Well, the reason being, Mr. Chairman, is because departmental staff at headquarters are not listening to the people at the frontline. That's the reason. Thank you.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1622

The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Thank you, Mr. Zoe. That was a comment. We'll move on to pages 10-26 and 10-27, highways, active positions.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1622

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1622

The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Page 10-29, activity summary, ferries, operations expenditure summary, $5.374 million.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1622

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1622

The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Pages 10-32 and 10-33, ferries, active positions.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1622

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1622

The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Page 10-35, activity summary, community marine infrastructure, operations expenditure summary, $129,000.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1622

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1622

The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Page 10-37, community marine infrastructure, grants and contributions, contributions, total contributions, $50,000.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1622

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1622

The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Page 10-39, activity summary, community local access roads, operations expenditure summary, $387,000.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1622

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1622

The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Page 10-41, activity summary, community local access roads, grants and contributions, contributions, total contributions, $337,000.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1622

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1622

The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Page 10-43, activity summary, road licensing and safety, operations expenditure summary, $3.468 million.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1622

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1622

The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Pages 10-46 and 10-47, road licensing and safety, active positions.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1622

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1622

The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Pages 10-48 and 10-49, work performed on behalf of others, $758,000.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1622

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1622

The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

We'll go back to page 10-7, department summary, operations expenditure summary, $77.393 million.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1622

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1622

The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Thank you, committee. We'll now go to infrastructure acquisition, page 8-4, in volume II. Give committee a second. We're on page 8-4. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1622

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Transportation infrastructure related to airports, is this where any reference shows up to new equipment required to meet the CATSA requirements?

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1622

The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. McLeod.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1622

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Mr. Chairman, yes, the CATSA requirements do show up under this section.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1622

The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1622

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, when the CATSA equipment is installed and in operation at the airport, is there going to be any requirement for upgrades to security equipment or any renovations related to security in other airports in the Northwest Territories?

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1622

The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. McLeod.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

February 27th, 2005

Page 1622

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Mr. Chairman, I just confirmed that at this point there are no security requirements at other airports. There may be at some time in the future in consideration for emergency equipment but in terms of security requirements, Yellowknife is the only airport that we have on our list at this point and it's the only one that CATSA has brought forward. Thank you.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1622

The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1622

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. When the CATSA equipment is in place at the Yellowknife Airport, will other communities, I can't think of one other than Hay River, but will there be direct flights allowed from those airports in the Northwest Territories to southern destinations? Thank you.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1622

The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. McLeod.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1622

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, the flights from other communities will be allowed to go to southern destinations. However, to stop in one airport, for example in Edmonton, to carry on further than that, there would be a requirement for the passengers to go through a screening at that airport.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1622

The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1622

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. So you could fly out of Hay River to Edmonton, but you can't fly out of Yellowknife to Edmonton without going through the X-ray for explosives. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1622

The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. McLeod.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1623

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Mr. Chairman, you could fly directly from Hay River to Edmonton without going through a screening device; however, if you were to fly from Hay River to Yellowknife and then on to Edmonton, you would be required to offload and go through the screening.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1623

The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1623

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I was mostly concerned about the potential economic impact of people not being able to fly directly out of Hay River to Edmonton and avoiding or bypassing Yellowknife altogether, and you've answered my question and my constituents will be very glad to hear that there will be no loss of flights direct to international airports. Thank you.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1623

The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. We're on page 8-4, activity summary, airports, infrastructure investment summary, total net book value of work in progress, $97.447 million.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1623

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1623

The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Page 8-5, infrastructure acquisition plan, airports. Mr. Zoe.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1623

Henry Zoe

Henry Zoe North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. On this page I'd just like to ask the Minister with regard to Norman Wells runway, taxiway, apron, rehab for the current year of 2005-06, we have $2.8 million going into that project. The overall cost is going to be, for the next three years anyway, $7.8 million. But Mr. Chairman, for prior years it's not noted right now, but I recall Norman Wells always getting something. If it's not a new terminal, it's paving or an extension. There's always everything there. I realize it was the ex-Premier's riding. But every year everything is always happening. I want to ask the Minister why or how this particular community has always had a major project in that particular community. Thank you.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1623

The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Thank you, Mr. Zoe. Mr. McLeod.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1623

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I can't speak for the expansions that happened historically. At this point, we are working with Transport Canada on this initiative. It is targeted towards improving the runway, the taxiway and the apron. This is dollars that have been requested to the ACAP program, Airport Capital Assistance Program, that's run by the federal government. It's all full recovery from the federal government and although we do not have at this point a confirmed yes, we expect to hear within the next couple weeks. Provided we get a positive answer, we'll go ahead. If we don't have approval for this, again we'll have to defer it. It has already been deferred for two years.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1623

The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. That's good. I'll go to Mr. Menicoche.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1623

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Just with regard to airports, I was in Trout Lake in January and they brought to me a request for a snow blower. I kind of thought, okay, they probably want to advance a snow blower. But I don't see it in the capital plan here under airports, a snow blower for Trout Lake, at all. Perhaps I could ask the Minister, Mr. Chairman, what his plans are with regard to a snow blower in Trout Lake.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1623

The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. McLeod.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1623

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Mr. Chairman, we have to check to see where it is in the capital plans. At this point we have no snow blower in our capital plan, as the Member has pointed out. It's a level of detail I don't know if we have at this point. We'd have to commit to getting back to the Member.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1623

The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Menicoche.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1623

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'll take the Minister's commitment to get back to me on exactly where that snow blower is. One of the members of the community was in Fort Smith and, I don't know, maybe the Minister could comment on this; there's an extra snow blower in Fort Smith that could be possibly reallocated to Trout Lake for the time being.

---Interjection

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1623

Some Hon. Members

Hear! Hear!

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1623

The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. McLeod.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1623

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Mr. Chairman, my staff just informed me that they don't believe there's an extra snow blower in Fort Smith. If there was one sitting at the airport, I don't know who it would belong to, but, at this point, we don't have an extra snow blower.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1623

The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Menicoche.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1623

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Thank you very much. Maybe if the Minister could check that out as well when he's checking into the snow blower in the capital plan for Trout Lake. Can I get the Minister to do that for me? Thank you.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1623

The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. McLeod.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1623

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

We'll do that, Mr. Chairman.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1623

The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Hawkins.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1623

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just on the theme of the snow blower, speaking to the snow blower being replaced in the 2005-06 budget for Tulita, is it a replacement or is it a new snow blower in this particular regard? Are they replacing an existing asset? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1623

The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. McLeod.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1623

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Mr. Chairman, it's a replacement with a new snow blower.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1623

The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Hawkins.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1623

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That being said, if it's a replacement, obviously at $250,000 that's a brand-new snow blower, what happens to the old snow blower that it's replacing?

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1624

The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. McLeod.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1624

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In this instance, the snow blower we're replacing is 21 years old. We will probably consider whether it's worth rehabilitating and we'll decide from there its future. At this point, we're replacing it with a new snow blower and we'll decide what we're going to do with the old one.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1624

The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Hawkins.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1624

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Then in the spirit of good will for the communities, of course, can we get a commitment from the Minister to look at maybe sending it to Trout Lake until we can deal with the Trout Lake problem down the road? An old snow blower on its last legs would probably be worth a lot more than no snow blower in Trout Lake. Could we get that commitment from this Minister to look at that problem? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1624

The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. McLeod.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1624

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Mr. Chairman, we'll take that recommendation under advisement. We don't know the actual condition at this point. I can't commit to giving it to anyone. It really depends what the situation is, whether we would take it and refurbish it and look at that avenue. It may be in a condition that we can't do that. We would have to take this recommendation under advisement.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1624

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Hawkins.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1624

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Madam Chair. Just for confirmation, I guess, at this stage, is that snow blower in Tulita, the one that we're replacing at $250,000? Does the one that exists at this time run? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1624

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. McLeod.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1624

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Madam Chair, I believe it's still running. The new one is in next fiscal year's budget to replace the current one.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1624

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Hawkins.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1624

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Madam Chair. Then just for final clarification from this Minister, can we get that clear commitment that he'll be in communiqu‚ with all Regular Members, especially the Member for Nahendeh, regarding the possible relocation of that, again, reaffirming what he said on the possible relocation of that snow blower from Tulita. If we could get him to confirm that he'll keep in correspondence with all Regular Members.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1624

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. McLeod.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1624

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Madam Chair, I'd like to request that the Member repeat his question. I didn't catch all of it.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1624

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Hawkins.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1624

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Madam Chair. I just basically am asking if the Minister will communicate with all Members to inform us. Obviously several of us have an interest in this issue and would like to see the Minister let us know what happens with that mystery snow blower in Tulita, whether it's fit for service in Trout Lake or fit for service at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre. Thank you.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1624

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. McLeod.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1624

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Thank you, Madam Chair. We'll gladly provide that information to the Member or any other Members who are interested.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1624

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. We are on page 8-5, infrastructure acquisition plan, airports, tangible capital assets. It goes over to page 8-6, total tangible capital assets, $10.065 million, total activity, $10.065 million. Mr. Ramsay.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1624

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'm just wondering in terms of the air terminal building in Yellowknife. I know the total project was at $11.2 million the last time we had discussed it and I'm wondering, from an accounting standpoint, if you take the money that CATSA is giving you and then show it as an expenditure here? Is that how you are doing it? It's not actually our money, so I'm wondering why you would account for it this way. Thank you.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1624

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. McLeod.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1624

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Madam Chair, our process is to spend the money up front and then claim it back from CATSA in this case.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1624

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Ramsay.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1624

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Madam Chair. If that is the case and you are expending the funds, does the Minister have some type of guarantee from CATSA that they are going to fund the project to the tune that they've said they would? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1624

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. McLeod.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1624

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Yes, Madam Chair. We do have an agreement with CATSA. They signed an agreement that commits them to providing this funding.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1624

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Total tangible capital assets, $10.065 million, total activity, $10.065 million, agreed.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1624

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1624

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Agreed, thank you. On to page 8-7, highways, infrastructure investment summary, total net book value and work in progress, $472.870 million. Mr. Ramsay.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1624

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Madam Chair. I just wanted to make an observation here. There are some expenditures coming up in 2006-07 in regard to highway pullouts in the Northwest Territories. One of the things from a visitor's standpoint, oftentimes the roadside

pullouts are the first place they pull in or they stop to go to the washroom or to empty their garbage, and I think it's very important that we maintain the roadside pullouts much like we maintain the parks or anything else. Like I said, oftentimes visitors are pulling into these sites and, myself, when I'm traveling in or out of the Northwest Territories, you pull into some of these places and they are not maintained in a very high fashion, that's for sure. I know in many cases, obviously, they are hundreds of kilometres away from the nearest community. So it is a challenge to maintain them, but I think it's incumbent upon the government and the Department of Transportation to ensure that they are maintained to a certain degree, and that garbage isn't overflowing into the bushes around the receptacles and they're kept as nice as they can be. I know it's a challenge, but I just wanted to provide that. Maybe the Minister has a comment for that. Thank you.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1625

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. McLeod.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1625

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Madam Chair, we have had some discussion with the Department of RWED where we share some responsibility on these issues as to the garbage issue and also for the outhouses. So we are having those discussions and we want to have a more coordinated approach for future years.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1625

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Ramsay.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1625

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Madam Chair. One of the other things in a lot of these roadside turnouts, there are the information maps, and in some cases they've been shot at or they've been defaced or whatever. If we're not going to maintain them, I'd rather see them out of there rather than be in the state that they're in. I think it gives a negative impression to visitors entering our territory or driving around our territory, that we don't take care of what we have in place. I know it's a real challenge when you put these nice signs up that show you where you are at on the Mackenzie Highway and people come around and shoot them and deface them and it's a real shame. But if we are not going to maintain them, maybe we should just take them out. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1625

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. McLeod.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1625

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Madam Chair, we are discussing that issue also with RWED. Some of the signs belong to RWED. Some of them belong to the Department of Transportation and some of the signs we're not planning to replace. However, there are others that we have to replace; the ones that indicate speed and other information signs. So we will be addressing that issue. We will be removing some signs and we will be replacing others. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1625

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Hawkins.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1625

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Madam Chair. Mr. Ramsay caused me to think of a concern a constituent brought forward to me. It is in regard to traveling along the highways and the lack of washrooms. I think the Minister did reply with a letter and I remember there was some discussion about trying to find new ways to establish roadside pullout toilet areas that could, well, I wouldn't want to say be safer from the shotgun, but certainly in a scenario where I think the Minister basically implied it's difficult to keep these washrooms along the highway from public abuse. Has the Minister ever engaged into looking at solving some of that problem or looking at alternative ways of making sure we have a lot of washroom pullouts along the highway between here and Alberta? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1625

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. McLeod.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1625

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Madam Chair, this is, as I indicated earlier, part of the same problem we have with the garbage and cleanliness of the pullouts, and we're looking at all the issues around the pullouts, including outhouses and washrooms.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1625

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Hawkins.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1625

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Madam Chair. I would definitely say that this is a key issue with some of my constituents who do prefer to drive and do like the comfort of these facilities being along there. What does the Minister mean by "we're looking at," if he could elaborate? Does it mean it would be a strategy this year, to take a serious look at this problem and maybe consider an alternative to the delivery of needs or whatnot? If the Minister could comment on what we're looking at.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1625

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. McLeod.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1625

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Madam Chair, we indicated earlier that we're having the discussions regarding the roadside pullouts with RWED. The bulk of the washrooms or outhouse facilities belong to RWED and we have concern regarding the garbage and the condition of these units. Also, there is a requirement for regular maintenance in the cleanliness of the washrooms. So we have committed to having those discussions. We've had some early discussions and we'll continue to do that and come forward with a solution for garbage and washrooms and overall cleanliness of the roadside pullouts.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1625

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Hawkins.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1625

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Madam Chair. Just a small comment and it's actually not directed at the Minister, it's more directed at those who thought this was funny. I do have some older constituents who truly rely on these facilities, who feel very uncomfortable needing to use the washroom in the woods and don't feel safe or comfortable. So anyone who thinks this is a funny issue...Some of my senior constituents who are in the older years just don't feel comfortable. So to them it's a very important thing; and those who think it's a funny issue, I'm disappointed they would find this funny. I can appreciate that at times we make light of many issues here, but they listen to these things and they follow our Hansard. So I'm very disappointed that we'd find something of this type of nature funny. It's an important issue and I'm not talking about the young teens who can go pee in the woods, I'm talking about the seniors who have a little bit of discomfort over the issue. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1625

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. I'll take that as a comment, unless Mr. McLeod

would like to respond to that. Alright, then we're still on page 8-7, total net book value and work in progress, $472.870 million.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1626

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1626

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Agreed, thank you. On pages 8-8 and 8-9, infrastructure acquisition plan, highways, tangible capital assets, total tangible capital assets, $40.151 million, total activity, $40.151 million. Mr. Ramsay.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1626

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Madam Chair. I just want to make a comment for the Minister, and I know his staff is here as well and I've also got the ear of the Minister of RWED over there. I've heard the Minister say he's working with the Minister of RWED. One of the things that I think that the highway system could use and I know when you are traveling north into the Northwest Territories and you go through the Mackenzie Bison Sanctuary you're liable, obviously, to see bison on the road. I think if we had a look at developing some type of interpretive centre on the highway, maybe we could even fence in some bison so that people could actually stop there and have a look at the bison instead of just hit and miss if you run into them or not. But I think it's an idea that has some merit, and I wouldn't mind if maybe the Minister and the Minister of Transportation might have a look at this and see if it's at all possible to develop something like that. When you are traveling that long road, there's not too much to see or to stop at. That's quite a distance from Fort Providence to Rae and then into Yellowknife. So if there was something between Fort Providence and Rae, a bison interpretive centre, I think that would be really nice for visitors on the road system. I don't know if it would be feasible at all, but it would be nice. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1626

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. To that idea, Mr. McLeod.

---Laughter

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1626

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I know that RWED had some discussions over the years on the very issue regarding an interpretive centre. I'm not sure if those discussions included having it located on the highway system. I think there was some interest from the community, from some residents in setting up something as a commercial venture. I could certainly follow that issue up with the Minister of RWED.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1626

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Ramsay.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1626

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Madam Chair. I think the tourists that do use the road system, and now that Highway No. 3 is going to be completed and paved, I think they'll be looking for some product on the trip. Whether it's into Rae-Edzo or into Yellowknife, being the end of the road and having something like that I think would be nice. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1626

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. McLeod.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1626

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Madam Chair, we agree that it would be nice and probably a good attraction for tourism, and we will have that discussion with RWED.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1626

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Highways, total tangible capital assets, total activity, $40.151 million. Mr. Menicoche.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1626

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Just with respect to the highway into Trout Lake; recently they put in a request to get the road, I think it was straightened out a bit, and I noted that the department does have some plans this month or, actually, in March. But is it actually a capital expenditure to upgrade that road to make it straighter, straighten it out, take out some of the 90 degree corners and make it a safer road that way, Madam Chair? Thank you.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1626

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. McLeod.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1626

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Madam Chair, we are planning to do some work on the Trout Lake road; some minor realignment on that piece of road. The money we are planning to use on that road would come from O and M, rather than capital. We are also talking with the proponent of the pipeline regarding this stretch of road, to see if we can have them invest some dollars in the realignment and upgrading of this winter road.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1626

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Menicoche.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1626

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Thank you, Madam Chair. Just with respect to the public highway access road to Jean Marie, the $75,000 in the next three years. Can the Minister kind of detail exactly what that is earmarked for?

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1626

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. McLeod.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1626

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Madam Chair, if you can just give us a minute, we have to find that information.

Madam Chair, the amount of money that's allocated or earmarked for the Jean Marie road is to do some grade improvement and also some drainage work on that road.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1626

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Menicoche.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1626

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. I'd like to thank the Minister for that. With respect to pullouts or lookout towers, is it a capital expenditure? On the way to Wrigley there's a nice area where you get a nice view of the mountains, but if you're able to make a lookout tower above the treeline, which is another 20 feet higher, that would be a nice tourist view. Does the department have any plans for that, or would it fit under their pullout program that's listed here, Madam Chair?

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1626

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. McLeod.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1626

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Madam Chair, our pullouts are designed for safety reasons. Towers and tourist attraction facilities for tourists would have to fall under a different Minister, the Minister of RWED.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1626

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Menicoche.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1626

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Thank you very much. I know where to go with this now. Thank you.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1627

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Okay, thank you. Highways, total activity under total cap, tangible capital assets, total activity, $40.151 million. Agreed?

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1627

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1627

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Agreed, thank you. Also, the item that proposed lease assets Deh Cho Bridge, it's for future, 2006-07, $57 million. Agreed?

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1627

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1627

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Agreed, thank you. Page 8-10, ferries, infrastructure investment summary, total net book value and work in progress, $9.386 million.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1627

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1627

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Page 8-11, infrastructure acquisition plan, ferries, tangible capital assets, total tangible capital assets, $410,000, total activity, $410,000.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1627

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1627

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Agreed, thank you. Page 8-12, community marine infrastructure, infrastructure investment summary, total net book value and work in progress, $293,000.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1627

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1627

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Road licensing and safety, total net book value and work in progress, $2.470 million.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1627

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1627

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Page 8-14, road licensing and safety, infrastructure acquisition plan, tangible capital assets, total tangible capital assets, $750,000, total activity, $750,000, total department, $51.376 million.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1627

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1627

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Agreed, thank you. Could we please go back to page 8-3? Department summary, infrastructure investment summary, total net book value and work in progress, $582.467 million.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1627

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1627

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Agreed, thank you. Does the committee agree that that concludes consideration of the Department of Transportation main estimates for 2005-06?

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1627

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1627

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Agreed, thank you. Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Thank you, Mr. Neufeld and Ms. Cook. At this time what is the wish of the committee? Mr. Menicoche.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1627

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Opening comments for MACA.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1627

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Is the committee agreed?

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1627

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1627

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you. I will ask Mr. McLeod if he would please proceed with his opening comments on the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs. Mr. McLeod.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1627

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you. I am pleased to present the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs' main estimates for the fiscal year 2005-06.

The department is requesting $82.5 million in operating expenses, and approximately $26.2 million for capital acquisitions for the 2005-06 fiscal year. The O and M budget for 2005-06 represents an increase of six percent from the 2004-2005 Main Estimates and the capital budget reflects an increase of 87 percent from 2004-05. Sixty-two million five-hundred thousand dollars, or almost 76 percent, of the operating budget is in the form of grants and contributions, the bulk of which go to key stakeholders: community governments in the Northwest Territories. This includes formula funding for community government operations and additional funding for sport and recreation programs, water and sewer services, municipal insurance, grants-in-lieu of property taxes, infrastructure projects and community development.

MACA's budget supports the critically important role community governments play in serving the needs and interests of the people of the Northwest Territories. Virtually all of the proposed forced growth and new initiative funding is in direct support of community governments. Specifically, additional funding has been requested to increase community government formula funding; to provide property tax revenues to communities in the general taxation area; to address water and sewer training and funding pressures; to assist in dealing with resource development; to build community capacity for managing infrastructure; and to support communities in leveraging additional resources for infrastructure and other priorities. By working in partnership with community governments, the department supports good governance to enhance the quality of life for all residents in the Northwest Territories.

As Members of this Assembly are aware from the budget address, the Municipal and Community Affairs' budget contains some exciting developments around the new deal for Northwest Territories community governments that will result in direct additional support for communities. First of all, effective April 1st, we are introducing the Property Taxation Revenue Grant Program where a total of $350,000 will be transferred to non-tax-based community governments. This amount represents the taxes collected last year within community boundaries in the general taxation area. This is an interim step towards our work with hamlets and charter communities to become municipal taxation authorities. The taxation revenues flowed to the community governments will be on an unconditional basis; however, communities will be encouraged to use the funding for infrastructure development or related operating costs.

In addition, the department's budget includes $1 million for planning and design work that is required in 2005-06 to prepare for the establishment of a separate community public infrastructure allocation. Beginning in 2006-07, MACA will allocate a total of $22.5 million for infrastructure in non-tax-based communities, an increase of $13 million from 2004-05, as well as an additional $3 million for tax-based communities, through a formula allocation to be

developed in consultation with communities. This will result in a stable, predictable funding base of $25.5 million per year for infrastructure development in our communities. This is in addition to our ongoing program of $2.5 million each year to support water and sewer infrastructure in tax-based communities. It is a significant change to the current manner in which we do business and one that has been a long time coming.

Complementing this are some recent federal announcements regarding support for community infrastructure. In mid-January, I signed the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund Agreement with Infrastructure Canada, on behalf of the territorial government, which will result in $16 million over the next four years for community infrastructure. Subsequently, the federal government has confirmed plans to share a portion of the gas tax with community governments. Northwest Territories community governments will receive revenues of $37.5 million over the next five years, with the total amount stabilizing at $15 million annually after that. I am pleased to be able to bring forward these significant proposals, which will help all Northwest Territories communities deal with their infrastructure shortfalls.

While the new deal is MACA's flagship initiative for 2005-06, there are a number of other priorities that may result in changes to the department's funding allocation in the upcoming fiscal year. As a government, we will need to consider our support for the 2008 Arctic Winter Games, which are being hosted by the Northwest Territories. Once a host community is selected by the Arctic Winter Games International Committee, the government will need to allocate funds to provide support to the community that is selected to host the games. In addition, the concept of the Northwest Territories Games will require further consideration by this Assembly to see if this should be continued after the inaugural event takes place March 18th to 21st in Fort Smith.

Overall, I am very pleased to confirm that MACA's 2005-2006 Main Estimates allocates the department's resources in support of the priorities outlined in the 2005-2008 Business Plan. To touch upon a few highlights:

  • • As I mentioned, development and implementation of the new deal continues to be a top priority in order to provide community governments with greater autonomy and decision-making on the issues that directly impact their operations. A key component will be to ensure community governments are adequately supported and resourced in order to be able to manage new responsibilities.
  • • MACA continues to support the evolution of community governments, especially with the implementation of various self-government arrangements on the horizon. To support the Tlicho implementation, the department has set up a dedicated task team to lead the department's work with the leadership and community governments in the region. MACA recognizes the importance of ensuring full engagement and support during the critically important pre-implementation and implementation phases.
  • • The impact of resource development on communities is another area where MACA is working to provide support to community governments. The Preparing for the Pipeline Conference, which was held in December 2004 in Inuvik, provided a great opportunity to identify issues and opportunities for communities related to the Mackenzie Valley pipeline, and the department continues to work on supporting community governments throughout the environmental assessment and regulatory review process. In this budget, we are seeking approval for funds to establish a community resource development planning position in our Sahtu regional office. This will complement positions in the Inuvik and Deh Cho regions, which are directly working with communities to provide advice and support.
  • • The importance of healthy choices is a key priority that is reflected in our work with the social envelope departments in support of sport and recreation, youth, active living and volunteerism.
  • • The department will work with the proposed Department of Environment and Natural Resources to address issues related to the environmental remediation of abandoned mine sites. Because many of these mines are on Commissioner's land, MACA has a role to play in assisting the regulators on matters related to the surface lands associated with the mines.
  • • MACA continues to see the value in brokering partnerships with community governments, the Northwest Territories Association of Communities, other governments and the private sector. The municipal rural infrastructure fund and the federal new deal are two examples where partnership has resulted in leveraging opportunities and increased revenues that support key priorities. The Building Healthy Communities document, released in partnership with the Northwest Territories Association of Communities, which outlines the current community infrastructure deficit, is one of the tools we are using to raise the profile of this issue and the benefits of collaborating to resolve it.

In conclusion, I want to confirm that MACA's 2005-2006 Main Estimates reflect the allocation of resources to the key priorities of the department and aim to build on momentum to date so we can advance priorities in partnership with our key stakeholders, the community governments. Community leaders and administrators have made it clear they want to work with the government to address challenges and opportunities facing the Northwest Territories. Initiatives such as the new deal for community governments are building momentum and garnering widespread interest and support. The investments government makes in communities will result in a payback of stable, good governance through the Northwest Territories and quality of life for all residents. I look forward to your comments on the department's main estimates and any questions or comments you may have. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1628

The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Thank you, Minister McLeod. I'll now go to Mrs. Groenewegen for the committee's comments. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1628

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, the Standing Committee on Governance and Economic Development met with the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs and his staff on January 14, 2005, to review the department's Draft Main Estimates for 2005-2006.

The mandate of MACA is to provide community governments with the support to deliver public programs and services essential to sound community life, to assist with the development and maintenance of community governments, and to provide the resources necessary to achieve community goals.

Arctic Winter Games

The Arctic Winter Games will be hosted by the NWT in 2008 and will provide an excellent opportunity for northern athletes to compete. The international committee will make an announcement late this spring as to whether Yellowknife or the South Slave will host the Arctic Winter Games. In 2005-06, MACA will be allocating funds to support the NWT's role as host for three fiscal years. The committee noted that funding for the Arctic Winter Games was missing from the MACA's draft main estimates and that the announcement with regards to funding will be made after the host community is chosen.

In the interest of transparency and accountability, the committee suggests the department announce funding for this initiative before the international committee makes their decision.

The New Deal

The new deal is a proposal from MACA to the communities which is to provide communities with greater control and decision-making over community infrastructure, including planning and decision-making for capital projects.

Capital projects can run into difficulty and require all kinds of expensive advice in the form of legal, engineering and contracts expertise, to name only a few. The committee is pleased to see that MACA is committed to working with the NWT Association of Communities, NWTAC, to make the new deal a graduated process for communities. The committee feels there needs to be a central pool of professionals for communities to access. Most importantly, communities also require guaranteed funding to help them budget for long-term capital projects.

Currently, although community government funding is based on a three-year projection, it is only guaranteed year-to-year because of the Financial Administration Act requirements.

The committee recommends that the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs continue to press the Financial Management Board Secretariat to find a means to guarantee multi-year funding for community infrastructure.

Municipal And Rural Infrastructure Funding

The Northwest Territories will receive $16 million towards green municipal infrastructure over four years, starting in 2005-06. After receiving this news, MACA has been working in partnership with the NWT Association of Communities to seek the association's input on priorities for application of the fund, as well as the application formula.

The funding will be devoted mainly to water and sewer repair. Fifty-five percent of the funding will go to non-tax-based communities and forty-five percent will go to the tax based communities, who MACA and the NWTAC feel are better able to fund their own projects.

Before any additional federal funding is announced, in the interests of transparency and accountability, the committee urges MACA to decide on and communicate in advance a fair and equitable approach to distributing funding. The approach should be based on criteria such as remoteness of a community, the cost of doing business in the community, the age of existing infrastructure, impact of population demand and the impact of resource development.

Granular Materials

There are many departments working in the various communities that have gravel requirements. Each department has to look after its own gravel requirements. There are roughly eight communities that require gravel for projects such as lot, airport and road development. In light of these requirements, the committee expressed concerns regarding MACA's proposed $250,000 budget cut to granular materials.

The committee is pleased to hear that rather than simply making this budget reduction, MACA will take the lead in determining all the departments that require the use of gravel in the different communities, their future requirements and how those will be met. The department advised it would have a plan for review within the next month.

That concludes our report. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1629

The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. What is the wish of the committee? Mrs. Groenewegen. Sorry; Mr. Menicoche.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1629

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that we report progress.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1629

The Chair

The Chair David Ramsay

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. There is a motion to report progress. The motion is in order. It is not debatable. All those in favour? Those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

I will rise and report progress. Thank you.

Committee Motion 24-15(3): Recommendation To Divert Funds From Chipseal Projects To Highway Reconstruction, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1629

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Could I have the report of Committee of the Whole? Mr. Ramsay.