Michael McLeod

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I already made the commitment that I would go back to my officials and get that information. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm not aware of anybody in the south who has been contacted. There may have been some contacts made in terms of assessing what the average cost of these units would be, but I have not seen any information in that regard. We are quite comfortable that there are many, many people picking up the tenders, including northern people interested in bidding on these things. But in response to the Member's question, no, I am not aware of any companies that were contacted, at least not any that have been brought to my attention. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, once again, I would like to make the Members aware that if I go through the request that the Member is making, to stop this process, that would mean no units in the communities for this year. We have huge pressure from the different organizations, from the different communities, to do something and do it quick. I would also like to point out that the tender process is open to northern bidders, and if it comes down to me saying whether or not I would defer these units, these modular homes into the communities, I would have to say no. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the initiative for market rent housing in the communities has been around for some time, as the Member has answered in response to his question.

---Laughter

The issue has been raised in a number of different reports, and the Special Joint Committee on Non-Tax-Based Community Affairs had heard this concern in their consultations in the different communities, also the Members of the Social Programs committee of the 14th Assembly raised it and stressed that something had to be done. So the issue is not a new one. It is something that we are finally attempting...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, what was done in this instance was a general average of what it would have cost for mobile homes to be utilized. In terms of proving it would be more expensive, that's a very difficult task as the Member knows. All we can provide and use as estimates is a best-case scenario, which is a general average, and a worst-case scenario, and anything in between. There is potential for up to a 15 percent increased cost. We will provide that information to the Members. Thank you.

Thank you. As the request from the Member indicates, there seems to be some dissatisfaction with the communication. We are having a Cabinet meeting on Thursday, and it's something I will bring up for discussion. However, we have to keep in mind if this project is deferred by a month, we certainly will not meet the barge deadlines and, therefore, may not be able to go ahead. However, I will commit to the Member that I will bring it forward for Cabinet's discussion. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, we have done a considerable amount of work already. We have looked at some preliminary drawings and we have some designs that maybe at this point we would be able to share. I certainly will commit to keep the Member informed of our progress. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the second part of the question is fairly easy to answer. Difficulty identifying funding and sources is always a concern. However, we have been working on a fairly detailed, comprehensive plan for the Yellowknife Airport. As the Member knows, the Yellowknife Airport is a very important airport in the Northwest Territories because of its location and its operational capacity and capability. We have had discussions regarding the desire to extend the road from Highway No. 3 to Kam Lake, which would go through the Yellowknife Airport reserve that we have in...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We’ve not had the opportunity to talk about the possibility of establishing or designing a road outside our reserve. I will commit to talking to my colleague, the honourable Minister of MACA. We’re also, I should point out, having discussions with the city as to responsibility of the city and what their role is in this. I can provide that information. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the mandatory requirement was something that was considered when this legislation was being drafted. It is something that other provinces and jurisdictions have in place. We had considered it. The difficulty with this whole concept was the limited facilities and programs that we have now. We will take it upon ourselves to look at what the options are on how we can accommodate the amendment that the Member is suggesting. Thank you.