This is page numbers 3131 - 3164 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 know.

Topics

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member. Mr. Speaker.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Yes, that's stage two. Thank you.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Member for Hay River South.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Rocky Simpson

Rocky Simpson Hay River South

Thank you. No further questions.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Member for Hay River North.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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R.J. Simpson

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you, Madam Chair. A number of my questions have already been answered so I'll probably keep this pretty short. So the stretch of road we're talking about, there was comments about the safety concerns. How many incidents have occurred on that road where perhaps someone was struck by a vehicle or there was some sort of collision or near misses, if we know of that, in the past, I guess, 25 years that the Assembly has been here? Thank you.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Minister. Mr. Speaker.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Madam Chair. For that detail, I'll go to Sergeant-at-Arms. Thank you.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Mr. Thagard.

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Thagard

Thank you, Madam Chair. Luckily to this date that I'm aware of, there have been no vehicular and pedestrian collisions along that route. The traffic down that roadway pedestrian-wise obviously wasn't as significant as it is now. So we're concerned that it's just a matter of time that something's going to happen, and we just want to address that before we get into a situation where something has happened.

We've had a number of complaints from folks walking down there, former Members included, that it is a safety concern, and they're not comfortable or they weren't comfortable and they were concerned for their safety so that helped drive this project as well. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Mr. Thagard. Member for Hay River North.

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Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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R.J. Simpson

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you. The other route that was mentioned by the other Member from Hay River was from I guess the existing trail towards the Prince of Wales Heritage Centre. There is no walkway there either. Why was this route chosen over that route? And the reason I ask is because the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre is a public building and, you know, generally, in normal times, we're also also open to the public here at the Assembly. But I imagine they get more visitors, more foot traffic than we get here. And I know that the Assembly is responsible for the -- it's capitol area, I believe. And I wonder if that path would get more use than the path that is being proposed. Is there -- is there any information about whether or not that might be an accurate statement? Thank you.

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Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member. Mr. Speaker.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Actually most people that use this trail are actually doing the loop. So the whole roundabout, if you will, pretty much the same but a lot of people when they're talking to work usually come either -- whether it's from Highway No. 4 or most of us have to travel -- walk by the old tourism centre, the -- but maybe I'll just turn that to Sergeant-at-Arms if he has anything to add. Thank you.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Mr. Thagard.

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Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Thagard

Thank you, Madam Chair. Great question. So we did look at priorities and areas of concern. And the reason I think that we went with this being phase one to the Legislative Assembly is the access road from Highway No. 4 to the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre is a two-way road, which is wider inherently than the road coming up to the Legislative Assembly. So while it is still a safety concern, it presents a little bit less of a risk scenario than the roadway leading up to the Legislative Assembly building. Thank you, Madam Chair.

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Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Member for Hay River North.

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R.J. Simpson

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you, Madam Chair. So I just did a quick sort of calculation here on Google Maps of what I think the new path right look like, and it looks like it's probably under or somewhere around 200 meters. So we're looking at a couple thousand dollars a meter. I find it difficult, I guess, to support something like this just given that we have a lot of competing needs in the territory, and this is a very short trail to the Legislative Assembly. And I walk that street often. I've been here six years. I've walked it in winter, I've walked it in the summer, and I know that I'm walking on a road and if I was really that concerned, I would walk on the path. So there is sort of a sense of personal responsibility there as well to not just walk on the road. So I'm having some trouble supporting this item here.

I understand there was also a path parallel to the road that existed prior and may still exist in some fashion. I have to admit I've never seen it. So is there some sort of existing path there that perhaps could be revitalized for less of a cost? Thank you.

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member for Hay River North. Mr. Speaker.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Actually, that's the route that this pathway will follow, just to save some costs and it's all about safety, as the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment should know that, you know, we have to look after our employees as well, and most of them which actually walk to work and there's not much traffic at 6 a.m. when you're walking to work here at the Ledge, so. But, you know, it's all about safety and, you know, if Members don't agree with it then, you know, it's up to them to support it or take it out. Thank you.

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Member for Hay River North.

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R.J. Simpson

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you. And I did consider that I don't see a lot of traffic there maybe because of the hours that I do walk that path. Yeah. I have no further questions but I do want to state that I do have serious reservations about this item. Thank you, Madam Chair.

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Are there any further questions, comments to this? I'm seeing none. Legislative Assembly, office of the clerk, infrastructure investments, $400,000, does committee agree?

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Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Members. Please return now to the Legislative Assembly summary found on page 7. Legislative Assembly, 2022-2023 Capital Estimates, $400,000. Does committee agree?