Daryl Dolynny

Madam Chair, I can speak on behalf of I know the people of Range Lake, and I’m sure Yellowknife in general and probably every resident in the Northwest Territories, that this is by far probably one of the biggest frustrations that any one of us deal with on a regular basis. Those of us who have to travel by road know only too well the frustrations that we have out there. We are very cognizant that the department only has so many dollars in their tool chest and their coffers, but I think a strategy would serve well, knowing in terms of priority, in terms of planning, especially those...

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Continuing with questions is Ms. Bisaro.

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. For that we’ll go to Ms. Young.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I’m going to start my conversation possibly where I left off earlier today in my Member’s statement. Really, when it was brought forward the first time to the public’s light, was the $299 million cost estimate that was provided to the federal government from this department. Now, in reading the opening comments of the Minister, I was struck back that this number is now being carried forward as a number for negotiations. We’ve heard earlier that the Minister is not closing or doing any deals. Anything that we were talking outside of this $299 million is deemed...

Madam Chair, I’ll bring those direct questions to the department personally. Thank you very much.

The so-called on-line availability for road licensing and safety in terms of drivers and vehicles and NWT driver’s licence, it was indicated, back in this House, that there were going to be upgrades to the system, allowing the opportunity for on-line access for things like abstracts to be done. Can the Minister update us as to where we are at with that initiative? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Schauerte. Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I’m probably going to open up my conversation on this page with respect to the overall strategy we have for our highway systems. It’s been noted a number of times. I know the Minister had made some comments towards our overall strategy moving forward for the remainder of the 17th and maybe setting up for the 18th Assembly. Can the Minister indicate where we’re at with respect to the overall Highway Strategy as an investment focus, as a terms of priority for maintenance, and some of the key expansion initiatives that this government or future governments will be facing...

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Schauerte.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Minister McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We’re hearing again, from the Minister’s own words, we have a lot of unanswered questions. How do we come up with the $299 million? It’s beyond me.

We all know that this government has had its hurdles in dealing with cost overruns on many of our large-scale projects of the past. The Auditor General of Canada has confirmed this. Can the Minister of Transportation indicate to this House what will happen to our cost-sharing agreement with our federal counterparts should the price of this road project exceed $299 million? Are taxpayers left holding the bag? Thank you, Mr...