Michael McLeod

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The new funding has not been decided upon, as we all know. The agreement has not been signed yet. We are anticipating that these new dollars will certainly assist us in the area of housing needs across the Territories. We would like to have something brought forward fairly quickly. I don’t believe that is going to give us an opportunity to meet with all regional leaders. Certainly we don’t have a budget to travel across the Territories and set those up. Our plan was to have our allocations based on some of the needs assessments that have been done, and have a discussion...

The Member is correct when he states we have to be creative when we look at the projects, and that is going to be the way forward, in my opinion.

There are a number of projects. There are a number of bridges that need to be built across the Territories, five fairly large ones in all told that we need to, at some point, address. Right now, the challenge is to find the financing. If there is a way to do the work and package it up so that it is attractive, affordable and viable, then certainly we would be willing to look at that and talk to my Cabinet colleagues and the federal government or...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My understanding is that the unsolicited proposal that came from the Beaufort-Delta was brought forward with a price tag and request to put it through the conventional capital process and that’s what we’re doing. I don’t believe I’ve seen a request to a proposal outlining the concepts similar to Deh Cho Bridge.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The source 177 gravel access road project has been on the drawing board for some time. For many years it has been discussed in the House with many different MLAs. A lot of planning has been undertaken to develop this project that would allow us to source gravel from this site. That was taken forward for consideration through the Building Canada. We are now looking for dollars to move forward. Rather than doing this over a five-year program, we’re now looking at doing it over a couple years. The Aklavik gravel source study or gravel source project is really early in its...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, that Bill 14, An Act to Amend the Motor Vehicles Act, be read for the second time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill amends the Motor Vehicles Act. A new short-term permit is created and an application for a driver’s licence may now be made based on a licence that has been expired for up to two years. Nurses are required to report medically unfit drivers in the same manner as is required of a medical practitioner. A person is prohibited from operating a vehicle with obscure or damaged lights or reflective...

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document entitled Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission 2009-2011 Corporate Plan. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, the responsibility for the MOU oversight falls under ITI. I am sure I could raise that for the Member if he requires. The budgets were passed in the fall, Mr. Speaker, for the capital. The budget for O and M has just been recently approved by this House. Mr. Speaker, the Member has requested from the Premier as to the status of the report that is required as part of the MOU. I believe that has been responded to by the Premier and he has indicated that it has been sent to the Gwich’in Tribal Council.

Mr. Speaker, provision of the projects is a different process. I don’t believe that...

Mr. Chairman, I believe the Member had asked the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs that direct question. They have not come forward with any indication of interest to reinstate the program. Having said that, I am personally familiar with a number of communities that are now looking to chipseal the whole community through their new funding that they are receiving and they are planning to do just that. We, of course, are willing to provide any kind of advice if there’s a request made to this department. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, that will be certainly a huge undertaking for us to accommodate the supply of power for electric vehicles. It is not an area for which we have done any type of research. I am not sure the department has that kind of capability at this point. I would be glad to undertake to work with the Energy Coordinating Committee to discuss this possibility. I would be pleased to provide a response to the Member. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I haven’t been in this position long enough to attend the national conference with any of my federal colleagues. I would certainly be looking at the situation as the Member has raised to see what our position would be. Right now, we intend to work with the federal government on establishing some of the guidelines and be more focussed as we move forward towards the next conference. Thank you.