David Krutko

Mr. Chair, the residents I represent feel this is a concern and I think if it means having to file an intervention and a public hearing on this matter, I think that might be the way we should go. But I think that the government should seriously consider looking at some sort of permanent structures so you don’t have to continue to put gravel into the river systems -- you have permanent structures in regard to Fort Providence -- and also that you are able to look at other means of technology that’s out there today. So I’d just like to know, is that an option that has been considered.

Again, if...

Another area I noticed that you talk about some 30 bridges that you also have to look at in regards to managing the project. I know that, in light of the Deh Cho Bridge, there are other bridges that still have to be put in place. One of the areas that I’m working on is the area of the Peel River Bridge, which was something that was supposed to be done when the Dempster Highway was built back in 1972. Yet, there is the possibility of doing that, but I think it is important that we do have to find a way to work in partnership.

I know that the Deh Cho Bridge is a model that we can build on. I...

That’s exactly my point. I believe the program before, we were looking at seven years. Now I believe it’s been shrunk down to two or three years. That’s why I’m asking. Is it now possible for those communities who are now in the planning stage and basically having to come forward with an engineered building design of a road system being able to access this Building Canada Fund under the same premise as to their the gravel sources?

In my discussions with Mr. Niditchie and his family, the ideal solution they would like is to move him and relocate him to the opposite side of the highway, up the hill a bit so it’s off of where this problem is and thereby remedying the problem. The problem is only on one side of the highway. I’d just like to ask the Minister if he would seriously consider looking at that possible option.

Mr. Chairman, also another issue that has come up in regards to renewable resource council meetings at the Gwich’in assemblies is the amount of gravel that this government puts into the rivers on the Mackenzie and the Peel. I believe the Mackenzie is almost 1,600 cubic metres a year. The Peel is somewhere around 1,200. I think that if you have been doing that for the last 30 years, that is a heck of a lot of gravel that you have put into the river system. The concern is what effect it has on the aquatic life by way of fish spawning areas. The question they are asking is why is Fisheries and...

Just in regards to highways, as we have seen the weaving that we are starting to see because of permafrost and also we are starting to see a lot more sloping, sliding along the hillsides and also in regards to the effects it is having on our infrastructure. As a department, is there anything that is being done to find ways to mitigate some of these challenges? In the past we used to use permafrost. It worked for us by way of building on top of it and building layers over top. We are starting to see that with the temperature changes it is having an effect on world conditions, especially in the...

Mr. Chairman, my point is that we are telling other people to tighten their belts, operate within your expenditure levels and basically be cognizant of the situation around you, and yet again we have communities that are in a deficit situation. People have to pay more power rates. People are paying more in regards to their water bills. People are paying more by way of their expenditures in their communities and basically they are telling us that they are struggling, but yet they see government operating in this manner. No wonder they get frustrated with the way government spends its money.

You...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I had an opportunity to travel back to my constituency this week and do a whirlwind tour. One of the highlights of the trip was to go into Aklavik and have an official signing ceremony with the community. Aklavik is in the process of developing a community economic sustainable development plan along with a university on Vancouver Island and using graduate students to work with the community to develop this plan.

The whole initiative is going to be an historical project that will involve all members of the community through a process of developing, producing, and...

Mr. Chairman, I believe that it is needed. When basically there is a risk of moving goods and services on and off a vessel because you don’t have the proper docking facilities, I think that is something that has to be addressed. I think a lot of our communities basically don’t have year-round access and do depend on these barge resupplies that they do have to have the proper facilities. Again, I would just like to stress to the Minister if he can see if there is a possible way that we can design such a facility or even improve what is there already so that they are able to properly dock these...

If we could get that information from the Minister it would be great. But the reason I’m asking is that in the case of Aklavik, they apply that EK-35 and it does work. If anything, if you’re not going to extend the airport, I think that at least having an airport that’s in pretty good shape, especially with these chemicals. I think it’s important that you do continue to reapply the chemical if you’re not going to extend those airports, because it does make a difference for the aircraft. You even notice it flying into these communities. The ones that have the chemical you can notice the...