Robert Bouchard

Thank you. As my colleagues have indicated some of the concerns with the high cost of the bridge, one of my questions is what has been removed from the bridge project that was in the original design of the bridge?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Continuing with the main theme here on the Deh Cho Bridge today, I have some questions for the Minister of Transportation. What is the expected time of completion or payback on the mortgage or bonds that we currently hold on the Deh Cho Bridge?

My last question is about the grant from the Government of Canada and the increase. Can the Minister indicate what the main reason is for getting a larger increase? Is it because of the increase in population? Is it the way they calculate it? Thank you.

My next question would be: If we don’t attain that number, what affect does it have to the bottom line, I guess, and how do we recover if we don’t meet that level?

Thank you, Madam Chair. The biggest concern that I have is this large amount between the projected amount and what we’re currently collecting in corporate income tax. Can the Minister indicate a little bit more detail on how we are calculating that number and why is there such a big discrepancy in that number?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have a couple of brief comments as well. I think one of the biggest factors in this department is devolution. I think it’s one of the keys to the future of the Territories and one of the progressive things that we’re looking at doing. Along with this devolution are also the concerns of what that brings for the future, what existing things that we’re signing right now with the federal government, what will we be able to change, what will we not be able to change.

The other thing that one of my colleagues mentioned was decentralization and the potential of jobs for...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’ll ask my question again. As I indicated, I was concerned with the high costs of the bridge, but my next concern was the items that have been removed from the bridge, from the original design. What items have been removed?

My next question is concerning the tolls on the bridge and what effect those tolls will have on the repayment of that debt service.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to use my Member’s statement today to encourage the 1,189 youth participating in the NWT track meet going in the next couple of days in Hay River.

My colleague Mrs. Groenewegen and myself would like to thank some of the Members from the Legislative Assembly that travelled down to Hay River to see the exciting grand opening of the NWT track meet this year: Premier Bob McLeod, Minister Robert C. McLeod, Mr. Daryl Dolynny, Mr. Alfred Moses. Thank you for coming to Hay River.

The NWT track and field event is organized by over 300 volunteers. It has a great economic...

My next question is: What are we expecting in the future years? Have we leveled off the base now? Do we understand where the calculations will be? Is it an annual thing, a negotiation with the federal government as we go along? These numbers fluctuate up and down. Do we have an agreement that is going to give us a base to go forward?