Robert C. McLeod

Legislative Assembly photo

Roles

In the Legislative Assembly

Elsewhere

Crucial Fact

  • His favourite word was work.
Historical Information Robert C. McLeod is no longer a member of the Legislative Assembly.

Last in the Legislative Assembly September 2019, as MLA for Inuvik Twin Lakes

Won his last election, in 2015, with 60% of the vote.

Statements in the House

Effect Of Rising Fuel Costs On Traditional Lifestyle October 19th, 2005

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to speak about the effects of the rising energy costs on the lifestyle that this territory and this country was built on. That lifestyle I am speaking about, Mr. Speaker, is our ability to continue to live a traditional lifestyle. We still have many people in the NWT who continue to try to live off the land. Even with the cost of everything going up, residents will still continue to go out and live on the land, because it is just the way of life in the NWT. Fur harvesters are still trying to earn some kind of living by trapping. People go to whaling camps, go fishing, and continue a tradition that has been carried on for generations. Not much is going to prevent these harvesters from trying to earn a living off the land, Mr. Speaker.

When all the harvesters return to their communities, now they have to contend with the high cost of fuel to heat their homes, and the high cost of power and food. There was a time when it was cheaper to go out on the land to harvest for food. Now it costs less to go to the grocery store and buy pork chops. The former RWED had some good programs to help the trappers with the fur harvest industry. But more needs to be done with all the harvesters who are battling the high cost of living. All they want, Mr. Speaker, is a chance to be a little more independent. They are not looking for handouts; they just want a good break.

We live in a territory that is absolutely rich with resources, yet people in Inuvik probably paid more for natural gas than southern Canada would have to when the gas is shipped there. Now it is time for this government to share some of these rich resources with the people of the NWT. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Political Decisions Of Government October 18th, 2005

In the past, Mr. Speaker, I have heard many comments from Members, that are now Ministers, when they were on this side of the House. Now they are in positions where they can affect some of these decisions. So I think now is the time for them to practice what they used to preach. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Political Decisions Of Government October 18th, 2005

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to speak about decisions that are made by this government. Some decisions, Mr. Speaker, that are made seem to be purely political, and don't make much sense even to a newcomer to this Assembly like myself. Decisions, Mr. Speaker, like putting a pipeline office in a community that...

---Laughter

...putting a pipeline office in Hay River when all the anchor fields and everything are up in the Beaufort-Delta, and without these anchor fields, there would be no need for a pipeline office or a pipeline. Decisions, Mr. Speaker, like closing down Dene K'onia and the remand centre in Hay River, because they built a fancy, new jail here in Yellowknife and they have to justify building it. Decisions, Mr. Speaker, like moving the TTC out of Yellowknife, where most of the support services are needed.

I am all for decentralization, Mr. Speaker, but some services, I agree, need to stay. There are decisions like entering into negotiated contracts, and sole sourcing, while contractors that don't have anybody to lobby on their behalf are left out in the cold. Mr. Speaker, if the government wants to make some good quality business decisions, then move the offices for student financial services to the regions where they best help the people that they serve.

---Applause

Question 150-15(4): Upgrade Of Highway No. 8 October 17th, 2005

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Minister. If the chipsealing is going to be a problem, we will settle for dust control. This was a terrible summer on the highway. All the way, there was absolutely no dust control, maybe 12 kilometres. So will the Minister commit to having his department do dust control on the whole 262 kilometres next summer? Thank you.

Question 150-15(4): Upgrade Of Highway No. 8 October 17th, 2005

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thanks to the Minister for the update. Earlier this summer, I invited the Minister to go on a tour of the highway with me so he could see the condition of the highway first hand. We will get that tour done, hopefully, next summer. Will the Minister and his department look at chipsealing part of the highway as part of the master plan? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 150-15(4): Upgrade Of Highway No. 8 October 17th, 2005

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I spoke today on the condition of the Dempster Highway, and I have a few questions for the Minister of Transportation. With all this traffic that's going to be going on the highway when the pipeline goes through, is there a master plan to upgrade the highway, widen it, just so it's a lot safer for the trucks and the people who are travelling on it? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery October 17th, 2005

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to recognize a constituent of mine, and chairman of the WCB, Mr. Denny Rodgers. We welcome him to the Assembly. His daughter is one of our Pages today.

---Applause

Condition Of The Dempster Highway October 17th, 2005

I have been hearing many complaints from people about the highway, and having the opportunity to travel that highway since 1984, this is the worst that I have ever seen it. It is worse than a goat trail. Many experienced drivers have told me that they travel this highway all the time. This is the worst they have ever seen it, because of the condition.

There have been a few accidents on the highway because of the condition of the road. I read with some interest the article that was in the paper regarding 12 kilometres left to pave on Highway No. 3. We would like to have 12 kilometres of dust control on the Dempster.

---Laughter

---Applause

We would like to have 12 kilometres without barrel-sized potholes, and 12 kilometres where we can put it on cruise control.

---Laughter

Mr. Speaker, with all the traffic that is going to be on this highway within the next couple of years with the pipeline -- and there is going to be pipeline -- this government has to improve the condition of the road. There is some work going on it right now, but that work, Mr. Speaker, as far as I am concerned, is not enough. There is going to be more work that needs to be done on this highway. We have to keep these highways safe for all residents of the NWT, not just Highway No. 3. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Condition Of The Dempster Highway October 17th, 2005

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I had a good statement and some questions, but

then I just realized that the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment wasn't here, so I will have to save those until Friday. I was trying to come up with a topic that I have been hearing a lot about in my time in Inuvik. One of the main complaints I had from Inuvik, and people that drive it, is the condition of the Dempster Highway.

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole On Bills And Other Matters October 17th, 2005

I move we report progress.