Tom Beaulieu

Mr. Speaker, I don’t want to have the Minister do any speculation, but with the assumption that money will be found to complete Highway No. 6, how long does it normally take to complete the reconstruction of approximately 65 kilometres of highway 100 percent to a chipseal state? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, what should they -- Fort Resolution and people coming into the community on a highway -- see at the end of the reconstruction of Highway No. 6? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to talk about Highway No. 6. I have raised the issue previously with the department, and the department has responded. I would like to thank the Minister for putting infrastructure dollars into the reconstruction of Highway No. 6 to a chipseal state from kilometre 67 to kilometre 90.

Mr. Speaker, the current allocation of capital is sufficient to complete that portion of the highway. The department has completed the work that many residents consider the most dangerous part of the highway.

Mr. Speaker, my contention is that the government must complete...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister sort of answered the question that is he prepared to seriously examine substantial budget increases to the Access Road Program starting next year. Thank you.

With respect to the specific project for Austin Lake road, will the Minister be prepared to develop a strategy in conjunction with the mini-hydro project to start the Access Road Program discussions? Thank you.

Thank you, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, this project and the Austin Lake road project have tremendous opportunity to effect substantial changes for the community on many fronts. It’s not only an access road for the community, it’s an access road to community wellness. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

My question for the department is, should the band government or First Nations government decide not to incorporate if they felt that incorporation at this point would have some impact on the current governance negotiations that is going on between the three governments, First Nations government, federal government and territorial government, and they decided not to incorporate, is there another avenue in which they can still receive the funding whether it be through a contribution agreement where they would be allowed to spend it or would the government, or can the government, come in and do...

Specifically Lutselk’e, are they incorporating to become a hamlet? If they choose to incorporate with the negotiations going on right now between Lutselk’e and MACA, are they incorporating to get hamlet status or settlement status?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, committee wishes to consider Tabled Document 1-16(4), NWT Capital Estimates 2010-2011, to review Public Works and Services and Municipal and Community Affairs today. Thank you.

Then is the Minister prepared to develop and present a new expanded Access Road Program to the House? Thank you.