Jackson Lafferty

That's great to hear. The workers have been asking me the last couple of weeks now, so I'm glad it's coming. The sooner, the better. Mr. Speaker, the third question I have is pertaining to the Edzo highway camp. How long has it been since the Edzo highway camp was provided with new equipment, such as loaders, packers, trailers, generators, sweepers, and distributor trucks? Mr. Speaker, they have been using old equipment all these years, so I have that question for the Minister today.

Masi, Mr. Speaker. Work conditions at the Edzo highway camp have virtually destroyed morale among the dedicated workers who staff that facility. I do have questions regarding this for the Minister of Infrastructure. What is the current staff complement at the Edzo highway camp, and how long has this staffing shortage been allowed to continue? Masi.

Masi, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday, I spoke about the lack of cell service coverage between Ray Junction and Yellowknife. Today, I'm going to speak about the maintenance camp along the highway. Mr. Speaker, our government's highway maintenance workers are some of the most critical public servants in the territory. Without them, the travel in the Northwest Territories will grind to a halt, and where would we be, Mr. Speaker? In the face of the COVID-19 crisis, I want to thank all the maintenance workers for their dedication to their duty. They are the unsung heroes of the supply chain that keeps our...

Masi, Mr. Speaker. Obviously, the Edzo highway camp, the crew will be happy with this announcement. They have been waiting for some time now, so it's good. Mr. Speaker, my last question to the Minister was alluded to earlier. Would the Minister please provide a complete schedule of the past visits to the Edzo highway camp by either herself, regional manager, superintendent, assistant deputy minister, deputy minister? Would she commit to having her department or her staff or herself travel the road to visit and meet with the staff of the Edzo highway crew? Masi, Mr. Speaker.

I thank the Minister for her acknowledgement on the Highway No. 3 Edzo camp. Obviously, there needs to be more work in that area. Mr. Speaker, just moving on to a second question that I do have, I did speak to the Minister a bit on this. What steps has the Minister's department taken to beef up the staffing levels with summer student hires? I understand the Yellowknife highway maintenance camp has already hired two. Why is there a wait on the Edzo camp, Mr. Speaker? It's already June.

Masi, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table two documents, both addressed to the Ministers of Industry, Tourism and Investment and Education, Culture and Employment. The first letter dated June 1, 2020, is from the community government of Behchoko regarding cell phone connectivity between Yellowknife and the Behchoko injunction. The second letter dated June 2, 2020, is from the community government of Whati regarding expansion of cell phone services along Highway No. 3 corridor. Masi, Mr. Speaker.

The next question I have is: would the Minister commit to calling Northwestel to convince the company to provide critical cell phone coverage that commuters and truckers need on the stretch of highway? One would assume that she has clout over them as the Government of the Northwest Territories is their biggest customer.

Masi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] Cell phones, Mr. Speaker. I spoke earlier in my Member's statement about the cell phone services between Behchoko and Yellowknife. We have no access to cell phone services between Behchoko and Yellowknife. Again, this is an ongoing issue because there have been some issues happening between Yellowknife and Behchoko. [End of translation]

[Microphone turned off] ...asked about safety when I asked about the summer students, so I will continue with the safety avenue on Highway No. 3. Is the Minister of Finance aware of the number of people or of cars and trucks...

Masi, Mr. Speaker. In that case, I'd like to ask this government what their action will be on this particular subject. I was copied on a letter to the Minister of Infrastructure and ECE the other day, June 1st or 2nd, from both the chief of Behchoko and Whati in full support of this cell phone coverage in that area. If Northwestel won't do it, would the Minister of Infrastructure or Finance, in combination of both departments, commit to funding the extension of cell coverage to the Highway No. 3 corridor between Behchoko and Yellowknife? It is really badly needed now, Mr. Speaker. Masi.

I'm glad that the Minister identified it as a safety risk between Rae Junction and Yellowknife. From a risk management point of view, what can the Minister tell us about the danger of leaving commuters and truckers without cell coverage along such an important stretch of the highway? We're talking about the safety of our NWT citizens.