This is page numbers 13 - 38 of the Hansard for the 16th Assembly, 1st Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was assembly.

Topics

An Hon. Member

A lot.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The honourable Premier, Mr. Roland.

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Premier

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as the government of the 16th Assembly, we're

starting out on a path as we set priorities here for the Northwest Territories. I can't reference the work of the previous Assembly, as we are now in our time of government. What I can say is with the Deh Cho Bridge, we know where it's at in the sense of the agreements that were signed. There are a number of outstanding issues that this government has to look at when it comes to the final matters that are being worked on. The fact is, recently there was an advertisement put out on the navigable waters permit. That is one of the issues that are outstanding, so we're waiting to see the results of that and that lies in the federal government's hands at this time. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Premier referenced contracts being signed and I know we don't want to go back to work that was done by the last government, but specifically what contracts have been signed and what are the obligations of the Government of the Northwest Territories -- and I'm talking about his government -- what are the obligations his government is going to have going forward on the Deh Cho Bridge project, Mr. Speaker? Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Roland.

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as Members are aware, the contracts that are being signed are not from the Government of the Northwest Territories; they are through the Deh Cho

Bridge Corporation group as well as potential constructors of the bridge. There has been, from the work that was done previously, we know that there's a commitment to start some of the early earthwork process. But ultimately, no contracts or, from our government side, no liability is being held until we know, for example, they get the permits from the federal government as well as get an agreement on the final price of the bridge. We know there's some work done in that area, but those are the two issues that are outstanding and we're proceeding on that basis. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Premier for that, but I'm trying to understand how the process is going to work. I haven't seen one contract; I haven't seen anything that's been signed by the Government of the Northwest Territories. I'm wondering if this government is going to be any different than the last government. Are they going to share information with the Regular Members of this House on the role out of the Deh Cho Bridge project, or is all going to be done in secret like the last government was doing? That's the question I have for the Premier. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Roland.

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Mr. Speaker, we are going to be transparent in the work we do. Of course, much like our own work here in the Assembly, when we have areas of confidentiality, we're going to have to recognize those as well. I commit to inform Members as we progress on any number of projects that are out there; but as we establish where we are and the Ministers receive their assignments, they'll get up to speed in the specific areas and be ready to meet with Members when committees are structured. We will be ready to proceed at that time. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Final supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am just wondering in terms of costs. Is there a final cost on the Deh Cho Bridge project and the tolls that are going to be associated with this project? Where is the financing after this project, Mr. Speaker? That is the question I have. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Roland.

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it is something we will need to, as we are just getting foothold here and proceeding, get up to date on where things are sitting right now. The fact is the information was shared with previous Members of the Assembly -- I believe it is public -- of where things were all based on the act that was put in place a number of years

ago when the Deh Cho Bridge project first became live and a potential reality in the Northwest Territories. There is a commitment on the Government of the Northwest Territories' side. When it comes to the concession agreement, that is where the GNWT becomes involved and the potential impact of that tonnage, the toll that would be charged as the bridge is constructed all based on that act that was put in place in I believe in 2004. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Oral questions. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to take this opportunity to just follow up on my Member’s statement, too, with regard to the government’s previous decision to turn the housing subsidy over to Education, Culture and Employment. I know that the government, in its infinite wisdom, thought that was one of the best ideas since sliced bread in the last Assembly to centralize services. But I know it is not working. I am sure they know it is not working. I have a friend back home who likes to play on words. They go from affordable and accessible to unaffordable and inaccessible programming in the NWT Housing Corporation. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Premier to give me assurance, and my constituents, that this is a recognizable issue and that they will seek to address this issue or re-address it, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Premier, Mr. Roland.

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Premier

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, again, that is the beauty of our system of government. Only in consensus, when there are issues that come across the table, we will work with the committees in ensuring that we make the best necessary steps proceeding forward of concerns. We have heard those concerns. Is the program in need of revamping? Is it a total review? Is it a matter of adjustments or is it just a matter of ensuring that departments get their clear marching orders and told to get the job done? As I have committed to, I am prepared to work with Members and come up with a solution that would best impact the Northwest Territories' residents. Of course, we all have to live within the resources we have. That is going to be a challenge to all Members, to help in formulating the direction we go and what levels of programming we can set in place for our residents. I am prepared to work with Members, as well as the Cabinet Ministers, on coming up with the right solutions for residents of the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank the Premier for that answer. I don’t think, in this case, it is an issue of throwing more money at the Housing Corporation. I think this is the case of correcting

a mistake that the government made. I think that government should look at this decision of centralizing income security programs, especially this when…

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Do you have a question, Mr. Menicoche?

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Mr. Speaker, I would like the Premier to state again his assurance that he will look at this issue.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Roland.

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am definitely getting my exercise today on this box.

---Laughter

Thank you. The matter of the issue is -- and I agree with the Member; it is not all about money -- it is about coordination and how we get that done and setting clear targets and results from those targets. I expect, as we proceed down this path, that we are going to work hard and make sure the targets we set are reasonable and can be achieved. We will measure ourselves against those targets. Ultimately, it is going to be a challenge. As I have committed, we are ready to sit down and work with Members in these areas of importance across the Northwest Territories. Again, I am prepared to sit down with Members as we all get our new assignments and work together in ensuring we can provide the best level of services we are able to in the environment we are in. Thank you.