David Krutko

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. With that, Mr. Premier, could you bring music to the ears of Mr. Bromley by way of saying...

---Laughter

Does the committee concur?

Sessional statement. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in regards to the 12 years I have been here, I have seen a lot of change by way of Legislative Assemblies, Members, more importantly, coming in with great intentions but at the end of the day, after being here for four years or going on four terms, I think that a lot of the issues are pretty similar in regards to how we, as government, deal with the residents of the Northwest Territories. The challenges continue to be out there. I think it is more important that we find ways and unique ways of facing these challenges and not continue to do the same...

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have implemented the main street maintenance program through MACA. I believe it was a pilot project. Again, I believe it’s a good start, but we’re not going to be able to accomplish our communities. However, all I’m asking for the Minister to consider is a pilot project for our highway systems to look at, not any major capital dollars, but applying it on our different highway systems to see exactly how we can improve our highway systems for the general public. So, again, I’m asking the Minister, we know we got $38 million of infrastructure funding...

Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. Any other Members who want to speak to the sessional statement? If not, I will pass it over to the Premier. Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, just to remind the Minister that there used to be a major undertaking by way of applying calcium to our highway systems. There was a major cutback over the last number of years where on very few sections of our highways calcium was being applied. Again, we talk about dust control. But right now that is the only option that we have in front of us to provide the public with safe driving conditions that they can drive under. But yet it’s not…

Thank you. Next on the list I have Mr. Beaulieu. If anybody else wants to speak, just put your hand up. Mr. Beaulieu.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions surround my Member’s statement in regards to the maintenance and disrepair of our highway systems in the Northwest Territories. I think we do have to look at how we maintain the highway systems we have. The practice to date has been applying calcium, continue to grade and apply more crushed gravel to the surface and continue on trying to be able to maintain that system, but yet, Mr. Speaker, it is not working. We are realizing our climate is changing. We are seeing more rain. We are seeing more permafrost separation by way of roads...