Thank you, Madam Chair. I'm here to present Bill 3, An Act to Amend the Public Highways Act. The Public Highways Act is administered by the Department of Infrastructure and governs, amongst other things, the construction, maintenance, access to and use of highways within the Northwest Territories. This bill will amend the Public Highways Act to address the Government of the Northwest Territories' liability for loss or damage resulting from a failure to maintain primary highways in the Northwest Territories.
This bill requires the Minister to maintain primary highways and provides that the GNWT is liable, with exceptions, for loss or damage resulting from a failure to do so. This bill will make it clear that the Minister has no duty to maintain roads that are not designated as primary highway under the Public Highways Act.
During Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment review, recommendations were put forward and accepted, which:
- improved clarity that the GNWT is liable for a failure to maintain and
- address minor drafting issues.
I would be pleased to answer any questions Members may have. Quyanainni.