Rocky Simpson

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. The first question I have is with respect to the charters. I noticed that, in 2018-2019, we had a revenue of just over $1 million with expenses of around $1.2 million. Now, in 2020-2021 estimates, we're looking at a revenue of $200,000, and we're looking at charter costs of $422,000. Can you explain to me that difference and maybe give a little background on the charters? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Just going off of what Kevin was saying: what analysis was completed with respect to purchasing the petroleum products at the best possible price? Have we looked at not only taking the fuel down the Mackenzie, but also coming around the coast? I think we talked about rack price before, and I think that price there can go anywhere, depends where you're buying it, from 15 cents up to whatever. I am just wondering: what analysis and how much work did this department actually put into it? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I just want to move onto road licensing and safety. Right now, with dealing with COVID, it seems like the staff that looks after the highway system, they are basically managing the border. Are we going to be putting them back onto the highways and doing inspections of vehicles that are going over the highway, big trucks and that? I know that there have been instances and concern about speeding now that trucks know that there's no enforcement. I'm just wondering what's happening with that? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I support this motion, as well. I think it's time that we take somewhat of a lead in the way we conduct business here in the NWT. We expect students to use video conferencing, and I think that we have to set the example. With respect to exceptional circumstances, and then, further down, we see the Speaker has discretion, there are two variances there in that meaning. I think, if that goes to the rules and procedures committee and gets dealt with, I'm fine with that. I don't really have any questions. I just wanted to make a comment and show my support for the motion...

Thank you, Madam Chair. Back to the ferries, I know, looking through some of the documentation, that we've been able to reduce the cost of operating by swapping out engines with a different brand and that. Are we looking at doing that for all of them? If we are, are we looking to making sure that we're buying the same brand for each of them so that, in terms of parts and maintenance, we're not having to keep parts for this brand, parts for that brand? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. MTC is providing training to fishers for the Great Slave Lake. Are they hiring trainers who are familiar with inland fisheries and inland waters, or are they using trainers who are used to offshore fishing? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I just want to start off with the ferries. Most of the ferries are up there in age, and I know that we're spending money to keep them up to standards. I'm just wondering if the department is looking at, just on a cost basis, if it's worth to continue doing repairs and trying to keep them up to standard for Transport Canada, or are we going to be looking at possibly building new ones for the ferry system? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. We're going to end up with some new barges. What are we doing about the vessels that tow the barges? They are aging, as well. Have we looked at the cost of retrofits versus replacing them? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Of those amounts for each department, what amount by department goes directly to support or care for Aboriginal people in the NWT? I am looking for a number, a per-capita number, I guess it is. The reason for this is that I want to know what we're doing with the money that is coming in from all sources, and how much is actually going to assist or to support Aboriginal people in the Northwest Territories.