Katrina Nokleby
Statements in Debates
So I'm thinking I heard that it just goes back into the general coffer for the fund itself, and I'm looking over to just have someone confirm that for me.
Thank you, Madam Chair. And in fact, I have said that before in this House, I'm pretty sure too, and I do agree, that it is cost to doing business that is higher in the North. And I've said it to my colleague beside me that isn't here today that I would rather see us overpay Indigenous groups to do work than to be overpaying southerners that are coming in and that money is leaving.
My next question has to do with - and, again, a little bit - like, maybe not sort of more what's missing maybe from this list. Given my statement earlier about the flooding issues in the North, you know, my concern...
Thank you, Madam Chair. I'm just noting that while that's an overall of 14, it's actually we have $23 million coming and $9 million of a reduction there. So I just wanted to ask a little bit about the Frank Channel Bridge reduction of $9.6 million. I understand that is to do with delays in the project; however, can the Minister give us some update on where that project's at and when are we going to see things start? Thank you.
Thank you, Madam Chair. So would it not be fair, then, to say given the amount of emergency work and extra work that MACA has had other the last few years, given the number of disasters, that perhaps capacity within the department is stretched which then maybe would impact some of these projects from going forward? Also, I'm assuming that this is not the first that's lapsed and it probably lapsed through COVID. I know for a fact it did as well. So with COVID having shut down a lot of the Government of the Northwest Territories, can the Minister speak to how much the overtaxing of the...
Thank you, Madam Chair. I will ask the Minister a question. Of this $27 million that's being carried over, for municipalities - or communities to access this money, is it applicationbased; do they have to fill out forms, do they have to provide proposals, etcetera, to get this money? Thank you.
Thank you, Madam Chair. I'm going to probably reiterate a few things that my colleagues have said, but I too am disappointed to see the amount of money lapsing. While I do recognize and understand the government's explanation that this money will come back in future years, what it represents to me is money that was not put into our economy oftentimes at the inability of the government and departments to do their jobs properly or to get things out the door on time that then has caused communities to suffer financially. A great example I keep bringing up is the Tulita Health Centre. I keep being...
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My apologies for not understanding. I just don't find this to be very clear what has been going on. When I asked before, I think two sittings ago, what was going on, why the plant hadn't been started when the funding had already been announced for the LNG, the Minister told me they were going back to get more money from the federal government to create an entire LNG plant instead of the one that is supplemental to the diesel plant. Has that changed, Mr. Speaker? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Infrastructure. Can the Minister tell us has the Fort Simpson LNG redesign plans or relocation plans been decided upon by the Northwest Territories Power Corporation board that Minister did promise last sitting. And if so, what are the significant changes; is there anything changing with respect to the location or the cost? Thank you.
Thank you, Madam Chair. Now I want to look at - I'm just all about the highways. Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway, in your own area, for the $2.932 million that's a carryover.
Over the last week, I noted on social media that there was - people were reporting that they had seen new holes opening up and that - maybe I'm mixing up the Dempster. But at this point, I know that the Inuvik to Tuk has its own issues and I'm concerned that the $2.9 million will not be enough going forward to properly rehab - or sorry, I know this is a carryover as well. So maybe I'm not asking properly. But can the...
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, flooding in the territory continues to be a real threat to residents' homes, livelihoods, and critical infrastructure in the Northwest Territories communities. In March, I spoke about the need to relocate and upgrade the Fort Simpson diesel plant to a liquified natural gas, or LNG, project, and the government's general lack of vision and longterm planning regarding infrastructure. Two weeks ago, the Peel River flooded in Fort McPherson, cutting off roadways, access to the airport, and water and sewer services. In other words, Mr. Speaker, the community's...