Jackson Lafferty

Masi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] Today, I am going to talk about Highway No. 3. Today, as we all know, the winter road has opened to the mines. When we look at it, there are a lot of people travelling on Highway No. 3. All sorts of vehicles go through. At times, we know that there is danger, and yet, that's the way that we are living today. Right now, we have issues that have been brought a few times already. This is why I am bringing it up again. [Translation ends]

Many have been hurt driving the road. Many have been killed, Mr. Speaker. Most recently being Kelly Washie, a 45-year-old...

Madam Chair, probably just a quick question because, every main estimate and budget plan, we talk about NWT Housing Corporation, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation contributions. As you know, it's coming to an end in 2038, 17 years from now. I am sure this is an ongoing discussion with Finance and housing. What's the plan going forward? It will be depleted. We have got to start planning now. I am just wondering where things are at with that, Madam Chair. Masi.

Just to elaborate a little bit more because I did speak to the Minister in advance because this is of high importance in my region: I am getting messages from my constituents asking if this government can lower the speed limit for these tractor-trailer units down to at least 70 kilometres per hour. Right now, as it stands, it's 90 kilometres per hour, and it's still not being obeyed or followed. What would be the process to make this happen? We had a public meeting in Behchoko on Highway No. 3 safety issues this previous Monday with all the stakeholders, and almost everyone raised this issue...

Masi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] Thank you, Mr. Speaker. About the main road that I mentioned earlier, we know there has been a lot of traffic and a lot of collisions. We have a few people passed on Highway No. 3, and so far, we had about six from our home community of Behchoko. [Translation ends] I would like to ask the Minister of Infrastructure: Would the Minister of Infrastructure please provide this House with a 10-year breakdown of the vehicle accidents on Highway No. 3 between Yellowknife, Behchoko, and Fort Providence which involve tractor-trailer units? The Minister may not have the...

Masi, Madam Chair. Obviously, we need to be provided with that detailed information. I know for a fact that there has been ongoing discussion with Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, NWT Housing Corporation, and Finance, with the federal ministers. We are at a critical stage. We can say 17 years is a long time, but it's going to fly by. We are already into year one, over year one, of our term here, so I am looking forward to that detailed information because we need to have a plan now. No questions at this point, but I will look forward to the information that will be gathered for the...

Masi, Mr. Speaker. I am glad the Minister is receptive to looking at reducing, possibly, the speed limit for these transport operators. Obviously, that would be a good start for this government. The safety of Highway No. 3 also should be and must be a priority, no matter who or what company they are working for. The posted speed limit should be obeyed at all times, especially for the tractor-trailer drivers, who we have seen so many times speeding. We are here to provide some options and ideas, so this is one of the recommendations that has been passed on to me: Could the Minister possibly...

I am very interested in the in-house training, and I am glad that the Minister is gathering, over the video-teleconferencing, those experts at the community level in March. I would like to know, because this will be in-house training, more specifically, have there been any dedicated extra funds for in-house translator-interpreter training in pursuit of those goals that I mentioned earlier?

Masi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] I made a Member's statement on interpreters because those positions are very important, and we want more training. I'm going to ask the ECE Minister. [Translation ends]

My questions are for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, and they relate to the government's commitment to training and certifying professional Dene language interpreters and translators. Mr. Speaker, the Minister's Indigenous Languages Action Plan set goals for the development of Dene interpreters and translators. Those goals include in-house training and also partnering with...

Masi, Mr. Speaker. Yes, if the Minister can provide that detailed information, that will be very helpful. My last question obviously is: What would be the process? Okay, there is a gathering in March, and obviously, there is a process in place. Can the Minister describe, because I am very interested in in-house training that is going to be happening, but at the same time, there is Aurora College that is involved, as well. It has been involved in the past. Can the Minister describe how Aurora College has been enlisted to ensure that we have a sufficient number of professional interpreters and...

[Translation] Regarding the training, it's very important to us. I want to ask another question. [Translation ends] [Microphone turned off]... I am involved in that. I am teaching a non-language speaker, so basically, I am a teacher to this student. It's my daughter that I am teaching, and it is very rewarding to be a part of that. The Minister has indicated that in the committee's statement that I'm walking the talk. This needs to happen. I am encouraging a lot more people to get involved. Maro Sundberg is involved in that, as well, which is great.

Mr. Speaker, the second question I do have is...