Michael McLeod

Mr. Speaker, the economic analysis has gone through its first draft. We’ve had opportunity to peruse it and there is still some review that’s going to have to take place. I don’t believe that it will be ready for this session, so I’m sure we’ll be able to table it at the winter session. Thank you

Mr. Speaker, the current plan is to have the road reconstructed and chipsealed from, I believe, kilometre 68 to the community. It will, as the Member indicates, require further investment.

Our goal as a department is to do the whole road over the long term. Right now we have not identified the resources to complete the last part of the project, but that is our intention, is to find the resources and bring it forward as part of our capital planning and when the time is appropriate to do so. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, the total investment for Highway No. 6 is $6.9 million over three years and will be focusing on key areas of that portion of road that needs upgrading and reconstruction. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I believe I said the payment was due in December for $2.5 million.

Mr. Speaker, once again, we don’t tell our captains what to say when it comes to closure of the ferry services. It is the same as we can’t tell the captains of an airplane when they should fly. Mr. Speaker, that is against federal regulations. We will not interfere politically as to the operations. Weather permitting, ice conditions permitting and safety factors all considered, we will do our best.

Mr. Speaker, at the same time, this may be a very unusually warm winter with the climate change. That channel may stay open all winter. We don’t have the resources to operate all winter. We can...

There are no liens against the Government of the Northwest Territories. There has been a lien placed on ATCON, the company that is doing the piers right now -- that’s Ruskan -- and there is also a lien filed against the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation by Structal, which has been there for some time, I believe. Thank you.

The Member is asking for a very specific price tag. I can inform the House that we have, I believe, it’s a position and a half dedicated to the project and related expenses for these people. Thank you.

We are already engaged with the Construction Association on this issue. I don’t see the relevancy of having the Member attend. I’m sure they would invite him if they thought he should be there. Thank you.

We are quite familiar with what the Yukon has done in this area and the staged-in approach that they had utilized. We’ve had discussions. So the answer is yes.

I’d be glad to bring more money to the table in this program. However, consideration has to be made by all departments and the Department of Finance as we move forward with our priorities. But I will certainly take his advice and have our officials look at what could be improved on and how much money that would take, and bring that forward in the next budget that we bring forward. Thank you.