Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Contracting Out of Own-Force Labour

In an effort to meet its reduction targets, the department is proposing to reduce costs related to highway maintenance, culvert replacement and chipsealing by using its own forces rather than using contractors to carry out a portion of the work. At the same time, they are proposing to contract out airport operations maintenance services in Fort Simpson. Members were not convinced that in either case the cost savings would be achieved. There will be additional costs that were not factored into these proposed reductions, including casual staffing and equipment leasing and service costs for laid-off employees. There are also no

guarantees that the private sector can deliver services on behalf of the government for less.

Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation

Committee members were concerned with the lack of initiatives to address climate change issues. The Department of Transportation accounts for more than half of the NWT’s greenhouse gas emissions, and the impacts of climate change are already apparent in the degree of damage to the NWT roads and runways as a result of melting permafrost.

Members understand that research is currently being conducted to study the effects of climate change on the NWT transportation infrastructure. The committee looks forward to the results of the research and requests that a detailed action plan be developed to establish transportation options that would reduce impacts of greenhouse gas emissions.

Mr. Chair, that concludes the committee’s review of the Department of Transportation Main Estimates. I’d like to thank the committee, committee staff, Ms.

Patricia Russell and Ms.

Cate Sills. That

concludes the economic development infrastructure report.