David Krutko

Thank you, Mr. Chair. My question is more in regard to the bridges in the Northwest Territories. It seems we’ve put a lot of focus on the bridges in the Mackenzie Valley. I mean the issue on that one was mostly around environmental liability issues in regard to Fisheries and Oceans and also extending the seasons for those roads. I know I’ve mentioned it in this House before. Have we looked at the possibility of replacing our ferry operations with permanent bridges so that we can get that 12 month a year access?

Also, looking at the studies, I know using the Peel River there were studies back in...

I know in the past, through economic development through our EDA agreement with the federal government, we have programs such as special Arctic grants where people were able to apply for grants to get snowmobiles, equipment, we have the Grubstake Program, which was there to assist people basically to stake claims and whatnot in the Northwest Territories. I’d just like to ask the Minister, in light of the economic dollars we’re seeing from the federal government, have we looked at the possibility of implementing these types of programs which worked in the past and we’re there to support...

Just on another issue in regard to the talk about the Mackenzie Valley all-weather road. You talked about environmental engineering and alignment options. I’m just wondering on the question of various, what’s the capital injection or what we’re looking at by way of expenditures in that area for this work. Do you have any idea how much money we’re talking about to do the work that’s going to be needed to achieve that objective? Are we doing any research and development by way of trying to develop it? Because it is mentioned under various so I’m just wondering if it’s a territorial program.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to speak about the importance of the fur trade in the Northwest Territories. It is one of the oldest industries here. Mr. Speaker, when the Tetlit Gwich’in began turning from the Klondike ventures, they found that Fort McPherson was not changed much from the gold rush days. The Hudson’s Bay Company post was still the mainstream of the community, even the same Hudson Bay trader was there to welcome them, which was my great-great-grandfather, John Firth, who first arrived in the Peel River country in 1872 and was the chief clerk of Fort McPherson from...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, in regard to the Access Road Program -- and I know I’ve raised this before -- it comes in different types of access road. You have the upgrade to the road to connect communities such as the road to Nahanni Butte. You have the expansion of what used to be the Community Access Road Program which was used to put the road into Jean Marie. There again, it’s another access road construction program. Then, also, you have the Access Road Program in regard to the Tuk access road program.

Again, I think that this issue has been around as long as I’ve been here, going back...

Mr. Chair, again, I think that is one way that we can look at it by way of, say, a pilot project on the different highway systems, Highway No. 7, Highway No. 8, and see exactly how this can be applied and tested in those different areas to see how it holds up. Because we are seeing a major difference in regard to the type of weather that’s shifted by way of climate change, the major downpours that we’re seeing by way of major rainstorms, which we haven’t really seen in the past. Also, we’re seeing with permafrost and the effect that it’s having in regard to the changing climate and the...

General comments, Mr. Yakeleya.

Sergeant-at-Arms, could you escort the witnesses in?

For the record, Mr. Minister, can you introduce your witnesses?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are directed to the Minister of Transportation. It is in regards to my Member’s statement and the importance of gravel resources for communities to develop public infrastructure. Mr. Speaker, as a government we have several access programs in regards to the Community Access Program and access road construction program. We have the Tuk access road program. We now have the road in regards to the Dettah upgrade access program. We have the Yellowknife bypass road program. We have tons of programs out there, but it just doesn’t seem like you are able to assist...

Bill 1 is now ready for third reading. Thank you. I would like to thank the Minister and his witnesses. What is the wish of the committee? Mrs. Groenewegen.