Norman Yakeleya

Mr. Speaker, the Premier’s special statement highlighted the Mackenzie Valley Highway right up to the Arctic coast. It’s been the priority of this department, it’s been the priority of this government for a long time, and I think it’s been a priority of the people of Nunakput.

Mr. Speaker, I look forward to discussing with all Members of the standing committee, with my colleagues, once we have an idea as to types of priorities, where we want to invest in the Northwest Territories.

Certainly, the report from the runway-length study has identified some priorities there. I look forward to discussion with my honourable colleagues, and with the standing committee in terms of where we will have the best returns on investment, as a government, within this term.

We will work with the Member, and again, I will share that information once I have the final document.

The Member is correct in terms of a study being conducted. The study is being conducted by ITI and [inaudible]. We’re in phase 2 of the study. I’ll be happy to share that with colleagues and Members once the study is released.

I also want to assure the Member that as Minister of Transportation, I’m looking at investment in all areas and locations across the Northwest Territories to ensure that safety and efficiency is our number one priority in our transportation system.

Mr. Speaker, the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation, along with this government, has requested $50 million from the federal government. We haven’t yet received a response from the federal government. The Deh Cho Bridge Corporation has been working with the Department of Indian Affairs in terms of the $5 million equity that has been outlined with the Department of Indian Affairs, and they are working through a process of how much they can obtain of the $5 million. That is still ongoing.

Mr. Speaker, this government, all Northerners continue working with the aboriginal governments, with communities in...

Mr. Speaker, I will get that detail and bring it back to the House.

Mr. Speaker, I would have to check with my department for the exact details in terms of the contribution of the department, as has been asked by the Member on this specific topic here.

Mr. Speaker, the community of Fort Providence combined alliance prepared the initial proposal to build the Deh Cho Bridge. The Deh Cho Bridge Corporation put together a professional team to develop this project. They delivered this project in terms of meeting some of the navigable waters requirements by Transport Canada. There’s been consultation and meetings in the communities. There’s been the impact review process and the environmental impacts. It also examined the culture and social impacts of this bridge.

The Deh Cho Bridge Corporation lined up the financial backers of this project, and...

Mr. Speaker, the direct benefits of the Deh Cho Bridge are undeniable. The economic advantage of this bridge is in lowering transportation costs. The cost of living is going to be reduced, as one organization, which is the Coop, has indicated. It will bring down the cost of goods. The benefits to the community of Fort Providence, the Deh Cho communities and of course, the environment…. The environmental direct benefits are that it will reduce the…. If there were a spill on the Mackenzie, that would be reduced quite considerably, and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions would help deal...

Mr. Speaker, the bridge corporation will be going out to the stakeholders, will be going out to the public in Behchoko, Yellowknife, Fort Providence, Hay River — wherever they need to be, and they’ll go and have discussions with the people. They’ll be talking to certain key stakeholders to say that this is what is going to benefit the people in the Northwest Territories. I have been speaking with the bridge corporation, and that’s the plan — to go out and talk to the stakeholders and continue on with discussions.

This bridge is going to be built, and there are going to be benefits. I think that...

Mr. Speaker, the costs are going up every day as we have this discussion. From 50 years ago, this bridge was deemed at $6 million for the Northwest Territories. It cost too much. And today, here, we’re talking about over $160 million.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to work with the Members here in terms of the price, in terms of the cost of living. I would like to work further with the department in terms of working with other departments, other agencies, other organizations, in terms of showing that the cost of living is going to come down. The Member’s pointed out that the price of fuel is going...