Tom Beaulieu

Thank you. The positions that are in Norman Wells are positions at the airport and airport operations. We could go back to the department, look at the airport operations. Right now, as the Member indicated, the individuals in Norman Wells report to the Inuvik office. So, if we looked at the reporting relationship from the airport in Norman Wells reporting to the airport division here in Yellowknife, if that’s the simple change that could be made without losing any efficiencies, we’ll look at that. Thank you.

We had received one proposal for sure going from Norman Wells south and also we have to discuss another proposal in Tulita going south again. Then there’s also another proposal for Fort Good Hope also heading south, so sort of on the Good Hope… With the exception of the Good Hope line, everything else would be on the Mackenzie Valley alignment. If we do fund those, it would be a substantial amount of summer work for sure, but right now we’re not in a position to fund any of those proposals. We’re looking at them and we’re talking with the federal government about the possibility of maybe...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] We’re going to talk… [Translation ends]

Mr. Speaker, the second winter of construction on the Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highway Project is in full swing with our contractor working 24 hours a day, seven days a week from both Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk. Our contract partner, EGT Northwind, is focused on constructing new embankment and installing needed structures during the 20-week construction season, while continuing to train and employ Inuvik and northern residents on the largest new highway construction project underway in northern Canada.

Engineers with the...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The inconsistency, as the Member referred to it, of the work that’s been done on Highway No. 6, Highway No. 5, Highway No. 7, Highway No. 1, is we are following the flow of the money. We had some BCP money that expired. We had some and those highways didn’t have some money. But Highway No. 6, we think we have the money now to complete it to chipseal state. Highway No. 5, we have to deal with the federal government, Parks Canada, because Highway No. 5 runs through Wood Buffalo National Park. So we’ve been having discussions with the federal people about their...

Yes, I do, Mr. Chairman.

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document, entitled “NWT Transportation Strategy, 2015-2040 – Public and Stakeholder Engagement Report, February 2015.”

It’s quite possible that the department is up to speed on that report. Myself, I’m not. If we are not and if the Department of Human Resources is not familiar with the report, I will ensure the deputy is able to transmit that to the department so members who are working with the public service are well aware of this standard. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don’t have the contract numbers with the providers here with me today, so I’m unable to give that information to the Member. However, I know the department does track everyone who goes through EFAP and I can get that number for the Member.

I know that the department is up to speed on occupational health and safety of the employees of the public service. If this is something that can be done and something that employees in Human Resources will benefit from, thus benefitting all public servants in the GNWT, then I will speak to the senior management to get their feeling on whether or not they feel it would be beneficial to the staff there to take this course. Thank you.

I am not familiar with the national standard of Canada for psychological health and safety in the workplace. However, the Department of Human Resources I’m sure is up to speed on all of those types of reports or standards that have been released. Again, I can ask the department to bring me up to speed and, if need be, bring the Members up to speed as well. Thank you.