Kevin A. Menicoche

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I can assure the Member that myself and this government, that we are doing nothing; that we are not saying no to the Inuvik-Tuk road. Some of the new initiatives that have been announced in the federal budget, the details are still being worked out and we’d like to see what they are so we can roll out the program. We’ve committed to the House and to committee that we’d like to work with you in identifying the priorities of where to allocate that money there, Mr. Speaker. Certainly, we have maintained, and will always maintain, that responsibility for new...

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Just with respect to the negotiations, we’re holding firm to a 30-day negotiating period right now. I can just say that at this point it’s not 100 percent either. The project can still fail if we don’t come to terms, but we’re really positive it’s still a 99 percent go at this point, Mr. Speaker. We’ll continue to update committee as this progresses. In fact, at the end of the 30-day period we would be prepared to give even that much more level of detail to committee at that point, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. There has been a cost-benefit analysis done many, many, many times on the Deh Cho Bridge project. Certainly as of last fall or even last year, when we deferred the project, it was because it wasn’t self-financing and needed additional expenditures or money from government. At this point, we’re hopeful that the federal government will still buy into it using the P3 money available. They’re willing to, their P3 project right now as it stands, they’re willing to contribute up to 25 percent of a P3 project, and It is on their National Highway Strategy for the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know the department has not offered an advisory to the aircraft carriers, but there are other contingencies that are being looked at. We don’t feel it is a problem at this point. One of them, of course, is landing and using the Hay River Airport there. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I was advised earlier this week of a potential problem of a fuel shortage at the Yellowknife Airport. We have made some inquiries. There is enough fuel in the city of Yellowknife that is provided for aeronautical needs up until next Tuesday or Wednesday, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Yes, we can provide that to the Member and to the committee at the appropriate time. I think I said we committed to find some time next week to further discuss the Deh Cho Bridge project in as much detail as we can to the committee. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I am not too sure what the Member implies by drawing a line in the sand. If there is a line to be drawn, Mr. Speaker, we cannot wait any further for a project of this significance. However the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation is doing their negotiating on this. Our government is really involved as a P3 project. Previously, DIAND has committed up to $3 million in equity to get the project off the ground. They continue to stand by that, Mr. Speaker. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Some of the discussion that we have been talking to the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation with is, of course, still in our concession agreement, but some of the maximum costs that we are looking at is up to around $4 million a year annually to the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Absolutely, the Deh Cho Bridge has been on the books not only of this Legislature, but on the minds of our Northerners for many, many years. I think it’s about 50 years, even, Mr. Speaker. However, I’m proud to be the Minister that is looking after this now and it’s something that our government has really considered a priority and we’d like to move forward with it. The Member is asking for more involvement. Certainly, we’ve briefed committee before and I can commit to brief committee for further details soon, Mr. Speaker. Thank you very much.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Our government and this department continue discussions with Inuvik-Tuk road committee and we are considering it seriously. In fact, we had provided the Hamlet of Tuktoyaktuk with $25,000 in the past and the federal government has committed some funding towards the engineering and survey work required for the road to source 177. So we’ve continued to move forward on this agenda item that is very important to the Member. Mahsi.