Mr. Chairman, the Norman Wells Airport also has a development plan. Right now, the space is not an issue. We feel there is enough developed space that it is not a requirement to open up more space issues. It is adequate, as far as we are concerned.

Mr. Chairman, the other issue I wanted to focus on is the Norman Wells Airport building. Mr. Chairman, it is my understanding that the building is going to make some changes in terms of accommodating some of the people that have to fly into Norman Wells to catch the Canadian North flight south to Edmonton or to here for medical reasons. Sometimes when we have

patients coming in earlier during the day, they have to stay three or four hours at the airport because they are unable to get to town or just some people are left at the airport. One of the things that we looked at was to see if we can accommodate them, to ease their comfort, because someone come with fractured bones, some are sick and some are not too healthy there, to open up a certain space in the facility to have a lounge for medical people there. I know that was worked on or discussed. I am not too sure where it is at right now.

Every time I go to the Wells, I ask the question: where’s the building? Where’s the spot? We’re working on it, we’re working on it the last couple of years now. I want to ask the Minister if he can put some comfort to his response in terms of, yes, we’re going to get this done. It is going to be done in a timely manner. The response I get back from the staff in Norman Wells saying it will be done by a certain date, I have been told so many times. However, it just falls... They don’t keep their word I guess is what I’m saying.

I do apologize if I’ve made a suggestion that it hasn’t been done. I will wait for the evidence to see. I was there about a month ago and I didn’t see anything. I stand to be corrected. I just want to make sure we have a facility for the elders and that it’s done. I will be happy. I will be happy if this is a reality in the Norman Wells Airport.

I want to say to the Minister and staff that people in my region, specifically Colville Lake, are very happy about the airport relocation. They’ve done some good work there. It worked really good this department with the cooperation of the Colville Lake First Nation people to work on the airport relocation, working together to get this done. I want to say thank you to the Minister and staff, and also to his staff for doing good work in Tulita and Deline on the airport runway extensions. It’s been a real trying time on these projects and we’re hoping that the Tulita Airport will be done for the gravel haul this year. These are some of the issues that we’re working on. I do want to say that to the department here. We look forward to working on some of the issues on the airport here.

I’m really happy because Colville Lake is finally going to get a terminal. Sometimes I wonder, when we land an airplane in Colville Lake and there’s no terminal. In other places you go there’s always terminal buildings there. I just couldn’t understand

how come we didn’t have a terminal at that small airport. Last time there was a terminal there, and certainly I know that the chief talked about the terminal being vandalized so they had to take it down. The chief again made another suggestion to not penalize my people that way. There are always ways to look at things.

However, I am happy that things are improving and we’re starting to see good things happening with regard to our infrastructure. For too long we haven’t seen much infrastructure like this. I’m glad that I’m here to witness it.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. I didn’t hear a question there, Mr. Yakeleya. Just a response from the Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I think we’ll all be happy for the community of Colville Lake. I personally had to stand out at the airport and I think it was February when I did a community tour. We’ll be very happy to see this project completed.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Ms. Bisaro.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have a question with regard to recreational land leased to recreational organizations. I believe that the Yellowknife Golf Course, at least part of it is on Department of Transportation land or Commissioner’s land which is managed by the Department of Transportation. I wondered if the Minister could comment on whether or not there’s any possibility that because this is a Yellowknife recreational organization and I know that other recreational organizations within the city of Yellowknife that lease land from the city pay somewhat reduced lease fees, from what I can understand.

My first question is whether or not the Minister would consider turning over that particular part of the golf course that’s on Commissioner’s land. Could it be turned over to the city so that the golf course can lease it from the city instead of from the government?

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That request has come in on several occasions. We feel we’ve given a very attractive deal to the golf association and, no, we’re not considering transferring it to the city.

I guess that begs the question why, if he could advise me of that.

This land that the Member’s referring to is important to the future development of the airport.

Okay. Thanks to the Minister for that. I’d like to know whether or not this government

has a policy relative to recreational facilities which are on Commissioner’s land for which there are leases. Do we have a special policy or just a policy in regard to recreational leases?

I’m not sure if I’m the person to be asking about the recreational policy. We do have a very attractive arrangement and it’s at a reduced rate as it is. It’s on airport land so the decision is ours.

I guess what I’m looking for from the Department of Transportation is if they are arranging that lease, I want to know certainly whether or not they’re doing it under any kind of an overarching GNWT policy. I guess I have to assume from the Minister’s answer that there is none. Whether or not it’s an attractive dollar amount for the lease, I guess that can be debated. I’m not so sure that the lessee considers it to be attractive. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That’s all.

Requesting information on recreation leases is something that would fall under MACA. We operate under the Airport Act and the Airport Act requires us to charge full market rate. In this case we are reluctant to transfer this land or sell this land as we have to take the long-term view. Land is very scarce in this area. It’s in the area of where in 50 years we’re going to be in need for more land.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Thank you, committee. We’re on page 11-17, Transportation, airports, operations expenditure summary, $27.318 million.

Page 11-18, Transportation, airports, grants and contributions, contributions, $30,000.

Page 11-19, Transportation, airports, active positions.

Page 11-21, Transportation, highways, operations expenditure summary, $54.220 million. Ms. Bisaro.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just have a comment here. I’d like to thank the department and commend the department and their staff for the work that was done on the city of Yellowknife by-pass road. It’s a huge improvement in terms of city safety. We have another access to get in and out of the city. I just would like to express my appreciation for the fact that this is basically completed. Thanks for the work.