Frederick Blake Jr.

That is great news. As I mentioned earlier, we do have brushing that has been done from the Peel River to Tsiigehtchic, but my constituents would like to see the whole highway completed, not only the blind spots, which makes a great difference, Mr. Speaker. As I mentioned, I thank the department for starting with the blind spots, but my constituents would like to see the whole highway brush cut along that stretch.

Mr. Speaker, spring is a time that is celebrated by everyone in the territory, when we welcome warmer temperatures, more sunshine, trees coming back to life, and the abundance of wildlife. On the Dempster highway, this also means that brush tends to overgrow.

In the past few years, the Department of Infrastructure has done a stellar job of clearing the brush. This year, it has already cleared about 15 kilometres of highway between Tsiigehtchic and Inuvik. Brush clearing is important, not only for fire smarting, but also to ensure that willows don't get too close to the highway, especially in...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Well, that sounds great. Next, I will move on to the Inuvik wind project. I am glad to see it after many years of working on this. I am sure this is a great benefit to the community, as we all know how many people are leaving Inuvik due to the cost of living, with heat and everything that has gone up so high in the last few years because of high costs. I do believe that one of the projects is under way to build the road to the site. Is that correct? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Sounds interesting. Next, I will move to the James Creek maintenance camp, the carry-over there. Last I heard, the contract was near being awarded. Since then, has the contract been awarded? When can we expect to see work being started on this project? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I will start on Highway No. 8 here. I see carry-over of $1.4 million. Is this work going to continue this summer? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

A little too much information there, but thanks to the Minister. Just under the Shell Lake Complex replacement, I just wonder which building is this. I actually brought this up a couple of years back. The reason being is: when I was an RRO1 a number of years back, seeing the shape of the building the Renewable Resources officers were working out of, Mr. Chair, this building was built probably 50-some-odd years ago. I am just curious to know what building this is. Is this their office building or storage? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Thursday, May 31, 2018, I will move the following motion: now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife North, that the following persons be recommended to the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories for their reappointment to the Northwest Territories Honours Advisory Council, effective immediately for a term of three years:

Ms. Sabrina Broadhead of Hay River;

Mr. Danny Gaudet of Deline; and

Ms. Anne Peters of Yellowknife.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as a follow-up to my Member's statement, I have a couple of questions for the Minister of Infrastructure. Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned, the department is doing a great job brush cutting on the sides of the highway. As I mentioned, they completed about 10 to 15 kilometres from Tsiigehtchic toward Inuvik, also all the blind spots from the Peel Ferry right to Inuvik, actually, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister: when will the department be doing more brushing along the highway to complete the whole Dempster? Hopefully, we get that far. Thank you, Mr...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I will try to run the clock here. Just kidding. When can we see the project completed? It would be pretty exciting for this region to actually have a wind turbine in the community, and just to see how that affects the cost of living. It would be a good example for other communities, as well. When can we see this project completed? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. That sounds good. I was hoping they negotiated it, but I am sure we will get a little more information from the Minister once he is available there. I will move onto the parking garage we have in Aklavik. I believe this is the second time where we have this carry-over. Will the department ensure the work is done this summer as soon as possible? I'm sure the community would appreciate that. Thank you, Mr. Chair.