This is page numbers 6259 – 6290 of the Hansard for the 17th Assembly, 5th 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 work.

Topics

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Having served on the other side of the House for eight years, the department did get the message loud and clear about the Auditor General’s report and the steps that we need to take in the area of wilderness camps. We are moving forward; we’re going to get a fit; we’re going to make it happen; and I’ve impressed upon the department to do just that. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Blake.

Frederick Blake Jr.

Frederick Blake Jr. Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In follow-up to my Member’s statement, I have a few questions for the Minister of Housing.

As I mentioned, there are elders who are patiently awaiting the opening of a new elders home in Aklavik, and I would like to ask the Minister if they are on schedule. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Blake. Minister of Housing, Mr. McLeod.

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thanks very much, Mr. Speaker. We’re very pleased with the progress on the new Joe Greenland Centre in Aklavik, and I can report to the Member that it is on schedule and they’re looking at planned completion of June of this year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Frederick Blake Jr.

Frederick Blake Jr. Mackenzie Delta

That’s good to hear. How soon can we have our elders moving into that facility? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

As I said, we plan for completion in June of this year. There would always have to be some work done as to inspections and making sure that it’s ready for the elders to move in. But, again, the completion date is in June and I’m assuming it would be shortly after that that the elders can start moving in. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Frederick Blake Jr.

Frederick Blake Jr. Mackenzie Delta

We also have plans for a new facility in Fort McPherson. I’d like to ask the Minister, how

soon can we expect the construction of this building and has it be awarded yet? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

The contract has been awarded for the construction of the seniors centre in Fort McPherson. We have planned for completion in December of this year. So, they would be doing a lot of the construction this summer, and if it goes according to plan, it should be completed by December of this year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Final, short supplementary, Mr. Blake.

Frederick Blake Jr.

Frederick Blake Jr. Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That’s good news. There are a lot of elders in the communities who are awaiting these new facilities here. It also gives us an opportunity for other people who are on the waiting list for up to three years. That’s really good to hear, and I’m sure they’re really waiting for this availability. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Blake. No question. Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I just wanted to ask the Minister of Transportation some questions. Once again it’s about Highway No. 7. We did a tour in December. I’d like to ask the Minister about completing the chipseal work that’s been long overdue from kilometre zero to kilometre 20. When will that be completed? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Minister of Transportation, Mr. Beaulieu.

Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The intention is as soon as possible to get the construction started again on that road. My understanding is that section was already awarded last year and it was not completed. It will be completed this year in addition to the other work that we are planning on under the Building Canada Plan. Thank you.

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

I am very pleased to hear that. The sooner they get it done, the better. The Minister heard the residents complain about the dust. As well, from kilometre zero to 32 towards Fort Liard, is there any further planned rehabilitation work after kilometre 20 for this year? Thank you.

Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe

The plan is to reconstruct the highway from 20 to 38. I believe that takes us to the chipsealing being finished right to Fort Liard. Also the intention is to try to do some resurfacing in some of the heavy truck areas between Fort Liard and the Nahanni Butte turn and concentrating on an area from kilometre 111 to 130 and a complete

reconstruction of a narrow part of the highway that is around 169, 170. Thank you.

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

I am pleased to hear that. Would that include some dust control as well? Mahsi.

Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe

That was a major complaint, as the Member indicates, when we were in Fort Liard. We are going to also be doing some dust suppression in the areas where they were considered to have the greatest amount of issues with dust on Highway No. 7.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Final, short supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. We also heard about the great big dip around kilometre 169 or 161, that area. What is the plan to remediate the dip at that point? It’s quite dangerous. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe

We’ll be reconstructing that area. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Time for oral questions has expired. Item 8, written questions. Item 9, returns to written questions. Item 10, replies to opening address. Item 11, petitions. Item 12, reports of standing and special committees. Item 13, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 14, tabling of documents. Mr. Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following three documents, entitled “Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 2014-2015,” “Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 2, 2015-2016” and “Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 1, 2015-2016.” Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Item 15, notices of motion. Item 16, notices of motion for first reading of bills. Mr. Ramsay.