This is page numbers 1523 - 1562 of the Hansard for the 19th Assembly, 2nd 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 housing.

Cell Phone Coverage on Highway No. 3
Members' Statements

Page 1529

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Monfwi. Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, acknowledgements. Colleagues, we will return after a short recess.

---SHORT RECESS

Cell Phone Coverage on Highway No. 3
Members' Statements

Page 1529

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Item 7, oral questions. Member for Monfwi.

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

Masi, Mr. Speaker. [English translation not available] [Translation] ...how important the cellphone service is important on this road, so that is my question towards the Minister of Finance. [Translation ends]. Five months ago, the chief of Behchoko wrote Cabinet with an urgent problem. The problem is cellphone coverage on the road to Yellowknife and Rae junction. The chief wanted help getting Northwestel to extend coverage to the busy section of the road, including 911 coverage. Minister Wawzonek promised this House in June that she would contact Northwestel regarding the lack of cell services on Highway No. 3 between Behchoko and Yellowknife. Would the Minister kindly describe the progress that her department has made with Northwestel to date? Masi, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Monfwi. Minister of Finance.

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have done a number of things since the time of June. We have already responded back. This same enquiry was made by some of the chiefs from the Member's communities, as well as from the Yellowknife mayor. We have responded back to them to let them know the work that we have undertaken. We have some initial costing that would demonstrate the costs of either partial or full coverage between the Whati junction to Yellowknife, so we have that initial costing done. That was done in conjunction with Northwestel and the Department of Finance, and we have communicated that over to the Members of the Legislative Assembly. What stage we are at now, Mr. Speaker, is to actually flesh that costing out more so that it's more determined and more specific. Having done that, Mr. Speaker, we would be in a position to actually evaluate whether or not this is something that can be put forward for infrastructure either by the GNWT or if it's something that we may want to approach the federal government with. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

It has been a few months now, and we are still talking about this cell coverage between the junction and Yellowknife. I have spoken to the Minister, as well, about this particular area. We are investing in our people's lives, and lives matter. On Highway No. 3, we are contemplating identifying the dollars in this area. It needs to be an urgent matter. We need to take actions today. Any day, people could die for lack of cell service between Rae junction and Yellowknife, waiting for life-giving help to arrive. Why hasn't this department or the Minister given this matter priority over the urgent needs, the issue that is at hand on Highway No. 3 between the junction and Yellowknife? When are we going to get serious about the safety issue of Highway No. 3 travellers?

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

We went out and did exactly what we said we would do, which is to get in touch with Northwestel, who are, in fact, the largest provider of cell coverage and cell services in the Northwest Territories and would be in the best place to actually be the provider of cell coverage and cell services on this stretch of highway. Having done that, we have an initial costing, and now we are at the stage of doing an evaluation on final costing. The infrastructure acquisition plan that is in front of all of us this week, if the Member is suggesting that this would make its way into that, that was not ever going to be feasible between June and today, but the idea is to have the information and the data available to evaluate whether or not it should form part of a future infrastructure acquisition plan.

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

At times, we wait on whether it be the federal government or a company such as Northwestel. Sometimes, there is procrastination or dragging their heels. Sometimes, it takes time. If Northwestel can't justify the cost, then what is the territorial government, our government, doing to make it worth the company's while to initiate this action that is badly needed, the cell service between Rae junction and Yellowknife, for the safety of those Highway No. 3 commuters and travellers?

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

What the government can do and what the government is doing is assessing the feasibility of this project so that we can actually determine what the actual costs will be and then be able to make an informed choice about whether or not the government can find a way to fill a gap, if there is, in fact, a gap in the market. By doing that, we can also go out and see if there may be potential partners. This may be an opportunity where the Indigenous governments of that region may want to become involved, but it's difficult to go and have that conversation in a meaningful and honest way without really understanding what the costs are. Having done the initial feasibility, having gotten some initial estimates, we are now analyzing those costs so that we can have exactly the kinds of conversations that I think the MLA, quite rightly, is asking about.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary. Member for Monfwi.

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

Masi, Mr. Speaker. My final question is: this area has been addressed to my attention almost on a constant basis as so many travellers from my community of Behchoko, when the winter road is open, and from my three outlying communities. Again, I have to emphasize that it's a huge safety factor for my people. The people of Behchoko need to know when 911 emergency cell service will be available on this dangerous, overcrowded highway. They need to know, in an accident, if emergency is on their way immediately. When will this government take action on this very dangerous situation? I want to get more specific with this Minister. Since it's an urgent matter, during the life of this Assembly, is it possible to initiate -- the discussions are taking place, but the actions to make this happen? Mr. Speaker, masi.

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

I certainly want to acknowledge that I appreciate these questions in the House. It brings attention to the matter. It certainly demonstrates the urgency of the issue. There are always asks and always needs, and so many of them relate to the well-being of the people of the Northwest Territories. Just to give some context, it would be $90 million in estimate to cover only 65 percent of all of our roadways in the Northwest Territories. Now, that is not the section that I recognize that the MLA is asking about. That section would be, initially, for a full coverage, about $10 million, but then there are annual costs.

There are options being looked at. I know MACA is looking at options in order to provide 911 coverage. The Department of Finance wants to analyze these numbers, see what we can do, see how accurate they are, and then look for ways to potentially, as I've said, partner with perhaps the Indigenous governments, who would stand to hopefully benefit most from this, and partner and/or seek funding from the federal government. I can't give a specific timeline on a solution to this. What I can do is say that we're going to keep moving this forward as quickly as we can, so that we can ensure that the people of the Northwest Territories have safety and protection across all roadways. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Hay River South.

Question 438-19(2): Mackenzie Place High-Rise
Oral Questions

October 30th, 2020

Page 1531

Rocky Simpson

Rocky Simpson Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I talked about housing for Hay River, and I've got questions for the Premier. I'm going to be a realist here because I am not holding my breath on the Housing Corporation coming up with any solutions for the community. We have a solution in front of us. We've got 50, 60, 70 apartments and up to 122, and for some reason, this government just does not see it. I don't want to hear that anybody has died in Hay River because of exposure or freezing to death, as well, so that's why I keep after this subject. I would like to ask the Premier to confirm: what departments are involved in addressing the efficiency issues and orders related to the Mackenzie Place high-rise? Is there a lead department? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Hay River South. Honourable Premier.

Caroline Cochrane

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes. The lead department that will be looking into the Mackenzie Place high-rise -- I want to make sure I get the name right. I'm just used to calling it the high-rise; sorry, Mr. Speaker. The lead department will be Municipal and Community Affairs, and then there are key departments that are working on it, of course: Municipal and Community Affairs; Health and Social Services is working on it; Infrastructure has a piece in it; the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation; and then also the WSCC, Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Rocky Simpson

Rocky Simpson Hay River South

I'd like to ask the Premier to confirm the status of orders placed on the high-rise by the department of health. Has communication stalled, or are we making progress to have those orders satisfied?

Caroline Cochrane

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Since that is a direct question for the Department of Health and Social Services, I would like to defer it to the appropriate Minister.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Honourable Premier. Minister of Health and Social Services.

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you to the Member for Hay River South for that question. There is a public health order in place for the building based on the risk of exposure to asbestos and mould, among other things. The CPHO has been working diligently with the owner this month to understand the level of contamination and remediation that has taken place and what needs to take place in the future. The most recent development is that the CPHO has hired a consultant to verify and augment the reports that she has received from the contractor for the owner, and this work will be done on an expedited time frame. I think that the CPHO is well aware of the value of the building as housing in a situation where housing is in very short supply and is trying to bring together the need for safety with the need for housing as soon as possible. Thank you.

Rocky Simpson

Rocky Simpson Hay River South

That answer is very encouraging. I'm glad to hear the word "expedited," as well, and I look forward to hearing the results. The other issue, now, with the Mackenzie Place high-rise is that there is potential for the power to be turned off next week, and it's going to have an effect on the emergency lighting, which sits on top of it and gives some indication to aircraft that there is a building there that is kind of high. What I'd like to ask the Premier is if she or one of her departments will commit the appropriate department to keep the power on in the high-rise to ensure aircraft and passenger safety, because, at this point, if that light goes out I'm not sure what's going to happen with that. I heard that the airport was going to just tell the aircraft that there is a big building there, so be careful. I'm kind of hoping that's not the situation.

Caroline Cochrane

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

That question I'd like to defer to the Minister of Infrastructure.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Honourable Premier. Minister of Infrastructure.

Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The role of the Department of Infrastructure is limited to inspections, to communication, and enforcement of the territorial regulations to ensure that the GNWT-owned assets are in compliance with the applicable federal regulations. As this is a private infrastructure, the owner is responsible for the complying with federal Canadian aviation regulations. For the lighting of the towers above the specific heights of this enforcement by Transportation Canada. We remain hopeful that the owner will be able to find a solution by November 6th and will be able to keep the electricity on the building. Should this not happen, there will be a notice to airmen, or the NOTAM, created that will advise pilots of the building that does not have a rooftop beacon in the vicinity of the Hay River airport. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Hay River South.