Norman Yakeleya

Mr. Speaker, I look forward to working with the members of the standing committee and honourable colleagues on this side, Members of the House, working with stakeholders and businesses, people in all areas of the Northwest Territories so that we have access, opportunities to talk about funding and working in partnership. I commit that this department will do its best in terms of working with all stakeholders in ensuring that funding, if possible, can be available through the type of agreements that we have. Minister Michael McLeod signed this afternoon with the federal government in terms of...

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.

With the cooperation of the community of Fort Providence…. And of course it’s been our own analysis that the decision to proceed had strong benefits to the government and the people of the Northwest Territories. It was a decision that was made and that the 16th Assembly wants to continue, because we see that the benefits of proceeding with this bridge far outweigh the costs in terms of putting the bridge in. This is a good benefit for the people of the Northwest Territories. We’re going to get a good deal after 35 years on this project.

Mr. Speaker, on November 30, 2007, I announced the launch of the Department of Transportation’s safety awareness program, Drive Alive! This new program is intended to enhance ongoing safety awareness efforts to significantly reduce the number of collisions, injuries and fatalities on our roads, trails and waterways.

Mr. Speaker, safety is our top priority. We are deeply saddened when we hear of tragic accidents, especially those involving our youth. Accidents must be prevented. When a snowmobile, vehicle or boating accident injures or takes the life of one of our young people, it is devastating...

Mr. Speaker, industry today has shown that once you start hauling freight and fuel over to this side, it costs us more money to store it. It costs us more money to have the freight stored at the different locations of the retailers in Yellowknife and also in Behchoko.

Mr. Speaker, the government put more money into tolls in terms of bringing the costs down. There is evidence that the cost of living will be going down once we have this bridge built.

Mr. Speaker, my understanding is that the outcome of the Co-op study here in Yellowknife has shown that the cost of living will go down in Yellowknife.

Now, I will be happy to sit down with the Member and any other Members of the House to show this study, as done by the Co-op, is an analysis in terms of the cost of living if we should — and when — get the bridge built across the Mackenzie River.

Mr. Speaker, should we get a favourable response from the federal government in terms of the $50 million that has been requested by the Deh Cho corporation, this would certainly significantly lower our toll fees; it would significantly lower our contribution to the bridge; and it will certainly have an effect in terms of the basic toll fees, which are under $7.

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.