This is page numbers 143 - 180 of the Hansard for the 15th Assembly, 6th Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was communities.

Topics

Supplementary To Question 74-15(6): Policing Resources Available To Address Criminal Activity In Downtown Yellowknife
Question 74-15(6): Policing Resources Available To Address Criminal Activity In Downtown Yellowknife
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 157

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Ms. Lee. About three or four questions there. Mr. Bell, I'll allow you to answer one or all of them.

Further Return To Question 74-15(6): Policing Resources Available To Address Criminal Activity In Downtown Yellowknife
Question 74-15(6): Policing Resources Available To Address Criminal Activity In Downtown Yellowknife
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 157

Brendan Bell

Brendan Bell Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will certainly inquire as to the suggestion that it's uniformed, I believe that the suggestion is that it's uniformed police officers who are handling travel arrangements for witnesses. I think it's probably clerical staff at the RCMP, but I could be wrong and I'll certainly check into that. If that is the case, that would be an example, I would agree. Certainly there's got to be a better way for us to utilize our uniformed staff. So on this committee, we participate with the RCMP. One of the major initiatives, as I've indicated, was to find a way to handle prisoner transport more efficiently. I know the RCMP have been very supportive of that. This is an ongoing committee. We meet frequently, apparently, and sit down and discuss ways to rationalize and improve service, Mr. Speaker. So I can get some of the last couple of meetings, get some notes, and would certainly be willing to share those with the Member or with all Members so that Members can see the kinds of issues we're talking about at that committee level. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 74-15(6): Policing Resources Available To Address Criminal Activity In Downtown Yellowknife
Question 74-15(6): Policing Resources Available To Address Criminal Activity In Downtown Yellowknife
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 157

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Supplementary To Question 74-15(6): Policing Resources Available To Address Criminal Activity In Downtown Yellowknife
Question 74-15(6): Policing Resources Available To Address Criminal Activity In Downtown Yellowknife
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 157

Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The RCMP not doing the escorting of prisoners and the correction officers taking over that, that is so yesterday's news. I'd really appreciate it if the Minister doesn't keep repeating that. I think that just highlights one of the many things, I'm sure, I don't know, the Minister doesn't know, we're not running the RCMP, we're not on the street, so can I ask the Minister to take this issue more seriously and answer specifically, would the department undertake a formal comprehensive review on the work of RCMP with the goal to minimize their work and maximizing their time on the streets? Would the Minister commit to that, please? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 74-15(6): Policing Resources Available To Address Criminal Activity In Downtown Yellowknife
Question 74-15(6): Policing Resources Available To Address Criminal Activity In Downtown Yellowknife
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 157

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 74-15(6): Policing Resources Available To Address Criminal Activity In Downtown Yellowknife
Question 74-15(6): Policing Resources Available To Address Criminal Activity In Downtown Yellowknife
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 157

Brendan Bell

Brendan Bell Yellowknife South

Mr. Speaker, I'm trying to be conscious of not sucking up a bunch of RCMP time in an exercise that will bear little fruit. I'd be willing to sit down and talk with the new commanding officer, ask him if he feels there's some merit in pursuing a formal committee with a formalized mandate and setting up some sort of a structure. If he thinks that that can assist the RCMP in improving their efficiency, then I'm more than prepared to champion that cause. But that's what I would propose at this point. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 74-15(6): Policing Resources Available To Address Criminal Activity In Downtown Yellowknife
Question 74-15(6): Policing Resources Available To Address Criminal Activity In Downtown Yellowknife
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 157

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Supplementary To Question 74-15(6): Policing Resources Available To Address Criminal Activity In Downtown Yellowknife
Question 74-15(6): Policing Resources Available To Address Criminal Activity In Downtown Yellowknife
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 157

Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don't think I've heard a yes or no commitment from him, Mr. Speaker. We have a new change of commanding officer; this is a good time to do it. But, Mr. Speaker, I'm telling you I have information that even though on the books it shows that we have 42 RCMP officers, there are times when we only have two pairs of boots on the street. We need to do something, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to ask the Minister, would he undertake to do a formal review? I'm not trying to suck up the time of the RCMP. I'm trying to give them more time. So Mr. Speaker, would he just say yes to this commitment and maybe work with the Social Programs committee, work on the terms of reference? We need to get more serious about this. It's not a, you know, willy-nilly, you know, leisurely activity here. We need to get boots on the ground. So could the Minister just say yes and we'll work from that? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 74-15(6): Policing Resources Available To Address Criminal Activity In Downtown Yellowknife
Question 74-15(6): Policing Resources Available To Address Criminal Activity In Downtown Yellowknife
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 157

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 74-15(6): Policing Resources Available To Address Criminal Activity In Downtown Yellowknife
Question 74-15(6): Policing Resources Available To Address Criminal Activity In Downtown Yellowknife
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 157

Brendan Bell

Brendan Bell Yellowknife South

Mr. Speaker, I'm more than prepared to come and talk to the Social Programs committee about such an initiative, but I am concerned that we set up some sort of paper shuffling exercise involving the RCMP, a long, drawn out process that really does nothing, Mr. Speaker. I think we all share the same thoughts, and that is to get as many RCMP officers on the ground and make sure their time isn't spent frivolously doing unnecessary paperwork.

Now, Mr. Speaker, I would say that I haven't heard from the RCMP this concern. They have a number of opportunities to bring this to my attention. We meet very frequently. This is not something that has been brought to my attention in terms of two people left in the community to police an entire community the size of Yellowknife. That's never been raised with me, Mr. Speaker. But I'll certainly sit down with Social Programs, sit down with the new commanding officer, and we can talk about what might have some merit. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 74-15(6): Policing Resources Available To Address Criminal Activity In Downtown Yellowknife
Question 74-15(6): Policing Resources Available To Address Criminal Activity In Downtown Yellowknife
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 157

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Oral questions. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Villeneuve.

Question 75-15(6): Deh Cho Bridge Project
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 157

Robert Villeneuve

Robert Villeneuve Tu Nedhe

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I just want to follow up with the Member's statement on the Deh Cho Bridge project. I just have some questions for the honourable Premier, Mr. Handley, I think whose court that this bridge is in right now. I just want to talk about some cost recovery initiatives that this government could probably give the green light to and probably should seriously consider giving the green light to since the Deh Cho Bridge sounds like it's a go ahead anyway. The $6 a ton fee that the Premier was talking about last week that the rates plus the cost of living that's going to be charged to haulers on that bridge project, I want to ask the Premier if when the bridge is built in 2010, say optimistically, but it could be built a little later, but hopefully around 2010-2011, what that rate, that $6 rate is going to be at then. Is it still going to be at $6 or are we looking at $10 per ton

then and if it is at $10 per ton, what is going to stop these private haulers, like the fuel haulers, from building their own ice bridge and just going around the Deh Cho Bridge altogether on an ice road? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 75-15(6): Deh Cho Bridge Project
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 158

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Villeneuve. The honourable Premier, Mr. Handley.

Return To Question 75-15(6): Deh Cho Bridge Project
Question 75-15(6): Deh Cho Bridge Project
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 158

Joe Handley

Joe Handley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'll answer briefly. These questions are more appropriate for the Minister of Transportation. The toll is not likely going to be $10. My estimate, I believe, is it would roughly be $6.50 if we apply the inflation factor to the numbers we had when they were first worked out at $6. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Question 75-15(6): Deh Cho Bridge Project
Question 75-15(6): Deh Cho Bridge Project
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 158

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Supplementary, Mr. Villeneuve.

Supplementary To Question 75-15(6): Deh Cho Bridge Project
Question 75-15(6): Deh Cho Bridge Project
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 158

Robert Villeneuve

Robert Villeneuve Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If I remember correctly, too, that $6 is based on a $60 million project and not 130 or 150 million dollar project. So that just changes everything drastically. I'm just looking at the $2 million over and above the already $2 million that we pay for ferry and ice road operations. So that looks like we're paying out about $4 million per year out of our government revenues, taxpayers' money, I guess, to finance the Bridge Corporation. I want to ask the Minister, if we are so hard on seeing this bridge project go through and we give the green light automatically or with not much public input, why can't we give a green light on a bridge reserve fund today so we have a reserve sitting there in 2010-2011 with maybe $10 million that we could put right down on the bridge right off the get go? Can we get a reserve fund established? Get a toll on the ferry starting today, Mr. Speaker. Why isn't that an option, Mr. Speaker? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 75-15(6): Deh Cho Bridge Project
Question 75-15(6): Deh Cho Bridge Project
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 158

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Villeneuve. The honourable Premier, Mr. Handley.

Supplementary To Question 75-15(6): Deh Cho Bridge Project
Question 75-15(6): Deh Cho Bridge Project
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 158

Joe Handley

Joe Handley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'll refer this question to the Minister of Transportation. Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 75-15(6): Deh Cho Bridge Project
Question 75-15(6): Deh Cho Bridge Project
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 158

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Handley. The honourable Minister responsible for Transportation, Mr. Menicoche.

Further Return To Question 75-15(6): Deh Cho Bridge Project
Question 75-15(6): Deh Cho Bridge Project
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 158

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I think, if I understand the question correctly, the Member's after can we realize some savings and create a fund to pay for the bridge. Fifty percent of the costs that we're talking about for operating a new bridge is already being spent right now as we operate our ferry and ice bridge there, Mr. Speaker. With respect to the $6 per ton for a truck, that is a new figure that we have been using. That is something that the way it is right now in the financial model, is to become effective the day the bridge starts operating. There is an inflationary factor. If the pressures are there, it may be more than $6 when the bridge opens, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 75-15(6): Deh Cho Bridge Project
Question 75-15(6): Deh Cho Bridge Project
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 158

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Supplementary, Mr. Villeneuve.

Supplementary To Question 75-15(6): Deh Cho Bridge Project
Question 75-15(6): Deh Cho Bridge Project
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 158

Robert Villeneuve

Robert Villeneuve Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I didn't get any indication of why we are not charging a toll fee on tonnage in the operations of the ferry or even the operations of the highway. I know there is a fixed rate at the weigh scales that companies pay, but right now, before we hit them with the $6.50 in 2010 or $10 or whatever it may be when the bridge finally opens its gates, why can't we just start charging them a toll right now? Then when it comes time to charge them a toll when the bridge is open, they won't take it so harshly and won't try to think of alternatives to work around it. Why can't we do that today? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 75-15(6): Deh Cho Bridge Project
Question 75-15(6): Deh Cho Bridge Project
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 158

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Villeneuve. Mr. Menicoche.

Further Return To Question 75-15(6): Deh Cho Bridge Project
Question 75-15(6): Deh Cho Bridge Project
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 158

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, the Member has a good question and the way that the Deh Cho Bridge Act is set up, it has nothing to do with our current operations. If the Member is looking at a government implementing a toll on our existing ferry systems, we will have to look at different legislation to do that, Mr. Speaker. The decision was made many years ago when we created our ferry system, is for easy, free access for the North and all northerners. Mahsi cho.

Further Return To Question 75-15(6): Deh Cho Bridge Project
Question 75-15(6): Deh Cho Bridge Project
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 158

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. A short supplementary, Mr. Villeneuve.