This is page numbers 4301 - 4324 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.

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, victims of flooding are wanting to know what will be covered under DAP and if there are restrictions on who they can use as contractors.

Can the Minister confirm when residents will expect to see a standardized list of items with values and approved contractors? Thank you.

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, and I thank the Member for that question.

So the first part is in regards to the standardized list. Last year, we developed a standardized list. We provided that to the people that were impacted. Then we put a value to it. This year, we have that standardized list but because of inflation, we want to make sure that it's more current information. We should have that information available early next week and pathfinders into the insurance companies, the MLAs, and to the assessors as well. So we'll have that information available.

In regards to contractors, should an individual wish to use a contractor, that's their choice. We have the abatement companies, those four there like I talked about, but there may be other abatement companies out there available where people can use. As well as for contractors for work and that, we encourage them if they have somebody they want to use, to use them and that there.

One of the questions, or comments in the Member's statement was, you know, there's people in their homes that are not doing that. We're telling people to get in there, get the work done, you know, if they need to hire contractors, work there, but, you know, make sure you register, take pictures, and keep track of the time you put into repairing their homes or businesses. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Deh Cho.

Ronald Bonnetrouge

Ronald Bonnetrouge Deh Cho

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Infrastructure Minister related to my Member's statement on highway washouts.

Can the Minister explain the extent of the damage and the type of repairs completed at the washout locations in order for traffic to flow through? Mahsi.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Deh Cho. Minister responsible for Infrastructure.

Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have experienced unprecedented water levels on multiple sections of our highways, Highway 1, Highway 2, Highway 3, and 5, all have been impacted.

On Highway 5, we've had a washout to the bridge approach at Preval Creek and closed the highway briefly to repair. On Highway 1, we saw high-water levels breaching the road surface in multiple areas. Kilometre 56, we reduced the highway to one lane, installed multiple pumps to move water to the other side of the highway. Kilometre 84, Escarpment Creek, CN were pumping water over the rail bed and it impacted our highway. We again pumped the water over the highway to be able to bring that water level down. At Kilometre 236 to 238, our road surface began to deteriorate, and we dug two trenches to reduce the water level and protect the integrity of the highway. We also experienced washout at this section and installed Bailey Bridge to allow us to reopen that highway. On the Kakisa access, we replaced a culvert and plan to install an additional culvert this year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Ronald Bonnetrouge

Ronald Bonnetrouge Deh Cho

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker, and mahsi to the Minister for that response.

Can the Minister let us know if these sections will require major repairs to ensure proper width and compaction? Mahsi.

Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Our highway crews are still working to keep the highways open, and I'm happy to report that they're making good progress so far. We have not been able to complete a full inspection of these areas as we only can do that when the water fully subsides. However, from what we've seen so far, there does not appear to be significant damages to our highway embankments. We will have some areas that will require the shoulders to be replaced due to the erosion. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Ronald Bonnetrouge

Ronald Bonnetrouge Deh Cho

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, these are natural disasters, and I'm just not sure if insurance claims will be an issue here in these circumstances. Does the Minister have the necessary funding for these type of emergencies? Mahsi.

Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First of all, the only insurance we have on our highway systems is for liability but it doesn't cover damage. The Department of Infrastructure is not currently funded for emergency situations. The funding for these repairs will come from our budgets.

Infrastructure is working closely with MACA. There are many GNWT costs that are likely to be eligible for federal reimbursement and the departments are working together to better understand the overall impact to GNWT infrastructure, including the highway system. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary, Member for Deh Cho.

Ronald Bonnetrouge

Ronald Bonnetrouge Deh Cho

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker, and mahsi to the Minister.

Mr. Speaker, I know there will be First Nations development corporations or businesses looking to partner with established businesses or companies to secure contracts to repair the damaged sections. Will the Minister consider negotiated contracts for these repairs? Mahsi.

Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The department would consider any requests to a negotiated contract as per our policy. Keeping in mind that timelines to inspect, engineer, the availability of contractors, may preclude entering into negotiated contracts if we want to get this work done this year. Many repairs are already underway due to the urgent requirements to keep our highway system open. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Thebacha.

Frieda Martselos

Frieda Martselos Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Minister responsible for the Public Utilities Board.

Mr. Speaker, similar to my first question to the Minister of NTPC, will the Minister responsible for the Public Utilities Board commit to work with the Minister of NTPC to have public hearings regarding the impact of increasing electricity rates in the Taltson hydro zone. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Thebacha. Minister responsible for Public Utilities Board.

Paulie Chinna

Paulie Chinna Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Public Utilities Board is a quasi judicial board that has the public's opportunity to provide input on rate applications. They also control its own process, meaning the board is responsible for deciding whether the public hearings might be held as a part of their process. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Frieda Martselos

Frieda Martselos Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, I want to compliment the Public Utilities Board on their neutral oversight as they are the body who oversees power rates increase in the NWT. Examining the submission from NTPC must have the citizens input into their decision on increases to relate fairness in the process. Would the Minister agree with that? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Paulie Chinna

Paulie Chinna Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank the Member for your compliment.

I agree with the Member's point, that citizens should have a role in the process. The Public Utilities Board exists to ensure that the public has the opportunity to provide input into the process. Individuals can make those submissions to the board. There is an entire process set up for the public. Almost everything that the board receives as a part of the process is considered public information. They run an open transparent process for anyone who would like to participate. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Frieda Martselos

Frieda Martselos Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the public utilities hearings must be made in the communities face-to-face, especially for the Taltson hydro zone. Would the Minister agree with that? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Paulie Chinna

Paulie Chinna Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to emphasize that the Public Utilities Board is an independent agency here in the Northwest Territories, but it's not for me as the Minister to direct the board as to where they should hold public hearings. The board is responsible for making those decisions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

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

Frieda Martselos

Frieda Martselos Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, once the decision is made for any increases in electricity in the Taltson hydro zone by the Public Utilities Board, it must have a balance of input from both sides of the equation before implementation happens. Would the Minister agree with that? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Paulie Chinna

Paulie Chinna Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's important that the board is to consider public input before making decisions. They're very open and transparent processes that the board operates in order to follow the opportunities that come forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.