Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Madam Chair. Does that include something for Hay River, as well?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday, in the Committee of the Whole, I asked a question whether or not the double-hulled barges we are going to take delivery of will be soon going to the Mackenzie River. The answer I received was yes. These barges are 3500 series versus our current 1500 series. They are heavier than our double-hulled Deh Cho barges. They have a freeboard of 13 feet versus the 6 feet that our 1500 series have. There will be problems offloading deck crates, so communities' fuel capacities will be cut in half, probably, because of drafts on the Mackenzie River and because these...

Thank you, Madam Chair. Is there any discussion with Alberta on a potential pipeline down the Mackenzie for moving oil sand oil around? Thank you, Madam Chair.

My understanding is that one of the unions will be negotiating with ORSI possibly mid-summer. I am just wondering if there will be any impact or possible impact with these negotiations on the government's ability to ensure timely delivery of goods and services to communities.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I guess one issue that has come up in Hay River, as well, you have private sector, people trying to grow and run a business; and then, the other hand, and we have say, non-profits doing the same thing. How is the department going to address that issue? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. These questions are for the Minister of Infrastructure. I would like to ask the Minister if she can provide an up-to-date business plan for MTS. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Chair. The Minister mentioned outhouses, and my ears perked up. That is one of the problems we usually run into. It's usually during the spring. They get used during the winter. We have wooden outhouses. Of course, the wood just absorbs the smell, and usually, they fill up. The thing is, what I would like to see is we consider looking at concrete washrooms, because it's easier to go in and wash them down. Of course, it will still smell, but it won't be embedded in the wood. Is that something that your department would consider? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. It was mentioned about safety, as well. What plans does the department have to ensure that, when the fishers go out, there's some safety component to it? Because we know what happened in the past, especially last year. It was a tragedy of what happened. In looking at that, I read an article, probably that was done 15 years before, by Alex Morin, and he said exactly the same words as to what actually happened out there. He said, ""This is going to happen," and it happened. I just want to make sure that those fishers who are out fishing are kept safe. What are we doing...

Thank you, Madam Chair. The other concern that I have, as well, are the opening dates and closing dates of the park. People are constantly wanting to have access to it during the winter for skiing and snowshoeing and whatever, but we seem to keep them locked out. Has there been any consideration by the department to possibly have those accessible during the off-season, at least to local residents? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I guess I just want to revisit the fish plant, the proposed fish plant. Have we revisited how we're going to approach that? Are we looking at receiving stations in, say, for instance, Yellowknife? The Member for Yellowknife North had indicated there are fishers here doing quite a bit of fishing, so we may need a receiving station here. With respect to all this, I just want to make sure that we do the right thing. It would be nice to have a big shiny plant in Hay River, but, if it's not the right thing to do, then I would like to have what we need in Hay River and then...