Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you colleagues. To address these NWTspecific problems, we need an NWTspecific program, and, Mr. Speaker, I believe we've found that in the work of the A New Day program administered by the Tree of Peace Friendship Centre here, in Yellowknife. This pilot project was built on 10 years of research and advocacy by the Coalition Against Family Violence, and it was designed specifically based on engagement with the NWT women to help men heal and to prevent further violence.

This program has been praised by the Public Health Agency of Canada. The NWT also included it...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I know we are meeting in December as Regular Members, so I'm sure we will get an update at that time. Hopefully we have some good news that this program will continue, as it is making a big difference for a lot of people and is successful, so it only makes sense to continue. So will the Minister ensure that the program continues? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. It's not what I wanted to hear, but at least there's an opportunity for the community to do the remediation work. I'm sure that will be a job in itself, there. Just under bridges, here, I was hoping to see Willow River under there, but it didn't happen this year. Hopefully next year.

The department is doing so well that I think to just fund the remainder of Willow River would really help the community of Aklavik. You know, we're so close to being finished with this project, and I'd just like to see that finished hopefully this year. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. That sounds good. The replacement of the James Creek Highway Maintenance Camp, I'm glad to see that's finally on the books here. I'm just wondering if the department would be willing to work with whether it's Gwich'in Tribal Council or the community, if they're willing to negotiate this contract, would the department be open to that? Thank you.

No, that's about it. That will do the remainer of this. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I think we set a precedent here with federal funding. As you all, the Inuvik-Tuk Highway wasn't put out to tender, so you know, it can be possible to negotiate contracts under the Building Canada as it was with the Inuvik-Tuk Highway. So would the department be willing to do that? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just a couple of questions here. On Highway No. 8, I know we completed a lot of the widening from the border to Fort McPherson, and I was just wondering what the plans are for next year? I know a lot of this has been done, but there is still a number of kilometres that aren't quite finished just because of the crushed gravel that needs to be capped on top of it. I'd just like to know what the plans are for the department on that? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to commend the Department of Transportation. After two years of working, trying to get the department to cut brush along Highway No. 8, the Dempster Highway, over the last few months the department has been doing this along the Dempster Highway, both near Tsiigehtchic and Inuvik and also near Fort McPherson. Mr. Speaker, this makes a huge difference in the riding, both as safety and creating work in the communities. I think it's only appropriate to recognize the work that department is doing, and I'd just like to thank them on behalf of...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. All I heard there was blah, blah, blah.

---Laughter

You know, Mr. Speaker, as winter is coming along here even though there's not much snow I'm hoping that, for example, in Tsiigehtchic that they can finish their contract. But, you know, if by chance we get too much snow and the work can't be done, will the Minister be willing to extend that work into next year? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Minister might say. No, that's great, Mr. Speaker. As I mentioned, I noticed a big difference in driving that highway over the last couple of years. I'd just like to ask the Minister: is the department going to continue working with the contractors as we move into next year?