Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, colleagues. Earning your driver's licence is a milestone for young people and a stepping stone to many skilled jobs, but highways, Mr. Speaker, are not the only way to get around. Strong and comprehensive transportation capacity liberates and empowers communities and individuals. For example:

operating four-wheelers and snowmobiles helps us access the land and our traditional practices;

barges bring essential supplies into our communities;

ferries like the Louis Cardinal, which makes stops at three landing sites, connect communities to each other for...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. My next question is on learning centres, similar to Mr. Beaulieu. You know, in Fort McPherson, a good example. Our learning centre is in the same school as our high school, junior high and, you know, even JK. You know, I think that as adults it should be in a separate facility; it's like that in many other communities, a separate place from high school and that. Hopefully, the department can look at having a different facility in the community. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just a couple questions here for the Minister. As he mentioned with the JK funding, I'm not sure if the Minister had an opportunity yet to visit the school in Tsiigehtchic, but you know at times we have junior kindergarten, kindergarten, grade one and two in the same classroom, so that just tells you the need that's in the community.

It's very difficult, as you can imagine, to teach four grades in one classroom. At times there is a partition there but it just goes to show the added stress that this puts on the teachers. I'm not sure if Tsiigehtchic is one of those...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just a couple questions here on the probation office security tenant improvement to Fort McPherson. You know, it's good to see we're doing upgrades to a new lease area of the probation officer, but I know the community is looking into possibly building a new facility. If the community was to do that, would the department be flexible to upgrade to that unit? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Speaker, the Minister just said that the Merv Hardie is the backup plan, yet to get it ready to operate, it'll cost $1.5 million. Why would we spend that $1.5 million rather than investing that into a new vessel?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, a little follow-up to my questions I asked earlier. You know, as I mentioned the Louis Cardinal, it's pretty clear that the vessel has had its time in the waters; it's time to replace this unit, you know, before we have any incidents. We always have to try to avoid these. Always prepare and make sure we have the proper infrastructure. Will the Minister at least commit to doing a planning study to be prepared in case we do have to replace the unit? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I know that may sound like a lot, but actually for a vessel that size I think that's a very good deal myself. You know, with the infrastructure that we are spending, you know, $100 million, $200 million here, $450 million over here, I mean I think that's a small price to pay here. But moving forward, will the department start examining ways to address this cost and meet this challenge? For example, undertaking the planning study?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, follow-up to my Member’s Statement. I have a few questions for the Minister of Transportation. I'd like to ask the Minister, what criteria does the department use to determine when the ferry vessel must be replaced? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday during Committee of the Whole I talked about the importance of planning ahead when it comes to our transportation infrastructure. When the Inuvik-Tuk Highway is finished next year, Mr. Speaker, we can look forward to increased traffic and more visitors; people new to the Northwest Territories who are interested in work, tourism attractions, or even moving themselves and their families North.

Mr. Speaker, that traffic won't just be concentrated on the Inuvik-Tuk Highway. Let me go back to the example I gave yesterday, Mr. Speaker, the Louis Cardinal...

That's all for questions right now. Thank you.