This is page numbers 4607 - 4634 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

Rocky Simpson

Rocky Simpson Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. You know, what we're talking about is a section of channel that's probably maybe 300 to 500 feet long and however wide it may be. You know, you're probably going to need 150 to or 200 feet to get barges and vessels through there safely. That's what we're talking about initial. Initial work. And, you know, we can look -- the problem I have is that the department's looking at the whole thing and not breaking it up and seeing what can be done earlier.

So I guess I'd ask if the Minister would be willing to take a look at, you know, if we could look at what could be done this year or this spring or even this winter for dredging. Like, we could be dredging off the ice that's, say, in January or February, with hose and that. We've done it on the Liard River. We've done it on Mackenzie River before. So is the Minister willing to look at that option as well? Thank you.

Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned, there are a number of things that needs to take place. You know, we want to make sure we do this right, we come up with a good business case to be able to bring towards our federal counterparts and start looking at public engagement, start looking at getting a number of people on board so that we can start to do this work. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Rocky Simpson

Rocky Simpson Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, previously the Minister had mentioned bathymetric surveys had to be done during the summer. Well, that's not quite true. They can be done in the winter as well. So, you know, when I hear that it has to be done in the summer and that's why I asked about the technical support that she has in her department. You know, if I know that and I've got no real technical background, then I'm hoping that her people would have it.

So is she willing to look at winter work to determine the extent of dredging required? I'd like to see her department collect the information as quickly as possible so that we can get the business case done and into the federal government. Thank you.

Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this is -- you know, I hear the Member's concern. It's something I just can't commit until I know what work is involved and, you know, I'd have further discussions with the Member in terms of capacity, whether we can get the equipment would be another thing. And, you know, if we do go ahead, we need to make sure that we do this right so that we don't have this issue again. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary, Member for Hay River South.

Rocky Simpson

Rocky Simpson Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, you know, right now the sediment build-up in the channel is critical, and if we go through -- we come next spring, we're going to probably be in the same -- we're going to be in the -- we're having the same issues that we have today. So, you know, and I guess what I'm trying to do is push the department so that they actually act as quickly as possible. You know, this has been going on for, you know, 25 years, we haven't done anything. We've talked about, we talk about it, and that's all we ever do. Like, it's not rocket science. We got some silt build-up, that's it; let's just get rid of it.

So will the Minister commit her department to consider all options to have collection of information required to develop the business case before the end of this year? Thank you.

Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, you know, there are a number of things that need to take place such as getting licensed before the winter, doing some of the environmental work that's required to be able to do this. However, I do want to mention that we will direct staff to be able to lay out a plan, identify a pathway forward, to be able to have further discussions with the Member in terms of how and when we can get this work done. Thanks, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Colleagues, our time for oral questions has expired. Written questions. Returns to written questions. Replies to the Commissioner's address. Petitions. Reports of committees on the review of bills. Reports of standing and special committees. Tabling of documents. Member for Frame Lake.

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. I wish to table the following document: A letter from myself to the Minister of Northern Affairs, dated July 15th, 2022, regarding Tlicho government's requests for a regional study under part 5.2 of the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Frame Lake. Tabling of documents. Member for Great Slave.

Katrina Nokleby

Katrina Nokleby Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to table an email from the Minister of Infrastructure, dated October 6th, 2022, regarding the negotiated contract for construction of phase 1 of the Prohibition Creek Access Road. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Great Slave. Tabling of documents. Notices of motion. Motions. Member for Hay River South.

Rocky Simpson

Rocky Simpson Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to make the following two motions:

WHEREAS Tabled Document 528-19(2), 2021 Review of Members Compensation Benefits Northwest Territories, was tabled in this House;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Honourable Member for Hay River North, that Tabled Document 528-19(2), 2021 Review of the Member's Compensation Benefits Northwest Territories, be referred to Committee of the Whole for consideration.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Hay River South. The motion is in order. To the motion?

Some Hon. Members

Question.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Any abstentions? The motion is carried.

---Carried

This item will be moved into Committee of the Whole.

Motions. Member for Hay River South.

Rocky Simpson

Rocky Simpson Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker,

WHEREAS Tabled Document 654-19(2) 2021-2022 Northwest Territories Electoral Boundaries Commission Final Report was tabled in this House;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Honourable Member for Hay River North, that Tabled Document 654-19(2), 2021-2022 Northwest Territories Electoral Boundaries Commission Final Report, be referred to Committee of the Whole for consideration. Thank you

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Hay River South. The motion is in order. To the motion?

Some Hon. Members

Question.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Any abstentions? The motion is carried.

---Carried

This item will be moved into Committee of the Whole.

Motions. Notices of motion for first reading of bills. Minister responsible for Housing NWT.

Bill 56: An Act to Amend the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation Act
Notices Of Motion For First Reading Of Bills

Page 4629

Paulie Chinna

Paulie Chinna Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Wednesday, October 19, 2022, I will present Bill 56, An Act to Amend the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation Act, to be read for the first time. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Bill 56: An Act to Amend the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation Act
Notices Of Motion For First Reading Of Bills

Page 4629

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Notices of motion for the first reading of bills. Minister responsible for Justice.

Bill 57: Miscellaneous Statute Law Amendment Act 2022
Notices Of Motion For First Reading Of Bills

Page 4629

R.J. Simpson

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Wednesday, October 19th, 2022, I will present Bill 57, Miscellaneous Statute Law Amendment Act 2022, to be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Bill 57: Miscellaneous Statute Law Amendment Act 2022
Notices Of Motion For First Reading Of Bills

Page 4629

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Notices of motion for the first reading of bills. First reading of bills. Second reading of bills. Consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters, Bill 23, 29, 48, 52, and 53, Committee Report 32-19(2), with Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes in the chair.

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

October 17th, 2022

Page 4629

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

I now call Committee of the Whole to order. What is the wish of committee? Member for Frame Lake.