Robert Bouchard

I’m looking at this supplement here for $5 million, and there only being several weeks left in the fiscal budget of the territorial government, I’m just wondering how the department expects to be able to spend this money on the upgrade to the 177 access road.

As I indicated earlier, I think the $5 million we’re approving here is one piece of the large puzzle, and I think we’ll be seeing further supplements here quickly. Basically to the point of committing to the project, I think this is a tough decision for a lot of the Members here to decide what we want to do with this money and whether we support this project. For me personally, it’s been a challenge back and forth. I know it’s large infrastructure money, and it’s hard not to look at last projects such as the Deh Cho Bridge and the overruns there. The Deh Cho Bridge had a revenue stream to it...

The deputy minister kind of led me into my next question. I’m just wondering how the GNWT expect… We talk about the economic development, the opportunity this provides for our members in our communities and our constituents in the Far North. I’m just wondering how the department expects to maximize the northern content for the employment on this project.

My next question is concerning we’ve been given some information from the federal government that they’re funding most of this project. I’m just wondering where the federal government sits on any cost overruns. Is that the responsibility of the GNWT?

Thank you, Madam Chair. I have a few questions for the Minister concerning the $5 million for the Tuk to Inuvik highway. Can he confirm that we have the gravel sources confirmed for the construction of this highway?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to rise today, too, and recognize International Women’s Day. I’d like to congratulate the five recipients of the Wise Women Awards this year. Like my colleagues, I’d like to talk about the politics and ladies in politics. Obviously, we have two Members here, Jane Groenewegen and Wendy Bisaro. Good examples for the youth of today’s Northwest Territories.

I’d also like to recognize two members of my town council: Donna Lee Jungkind and Kandis Jameson, who also are striving to put women into politics and make sure that there’s a good balance there. Like my friend...

Just for my clarity, then, this is a payment we’re going to make to an entity that takes in all the partners in the fibre optic link.

Mr. Chair, is there any expectation over the next few years to start to contribute more to this fund?

That’s it. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, not that it’s that important, but I’m wondering, because I think this is an important issue, but not that the cost is an important issue, but does the department have any estimates of what the rollout cost of this program would be to start?