Wally Schumann

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We are already taking significant steps to leverage new federal funding, everyone in this House knows that, to support these new initiatives that we are laying out. We are making unprecedented investments to support energy initiatives across the Northwest Territories. This year, we will invest over $60 million in projects and initiatives intended to support secure, reliable, and sustainable energy in the Northwest Territories. All of this investment, we know, will support economic growth, particularly to the businesses and entrepreneurs around this green, renewable...

Understanding climate and adjusting accordingly is inherent in all our operations of the transportation system. Climate change has been incorporated into our best practice documents and construction procedures and specifications. We keep involved at the national level to influence and incorporate research into updated national standards and promote professional development.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you for attending today. I am going to take this opportunity to actually speak to a number of initiatives that the Government of the Northwest Territories is doing, because some Members in this House say they don't think we're doing enough. I want these young people to hear exactly what we're doing as the Government of the Northwest Territories, because I believe the actions that we are taking go beyond. A small jurisdiction like we are, we are punching above our weight, so I'm going to read every word on these questions.

He wants to know what we're doing in the...

I would like to update this House that we are already looking at this. We are investigating this potential of renewable diesel technologies. The one thing I can say is that there is one contractor supplying western Canada and confirmed that it has been deployed in one major city, which is probably the City of Vancouver.

We have concerns over this thing. When I talked to the deputy about this specific possibility, we were worried about the life cycle of this stuff and the storage capacity that we have in the communities and how long it will be good for. It is way more expensive than the price of...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I certainly will contact the responsible authority to accurately survey the river. We can do that around the ferry landings and the possible alternative routes. As I said in my previous comments here with the Fort McPherson ferry, low water is going to be an issue. We know that already because of the way things are looking. The one thing about the Fort Simpson ferry and that crossing, there is so much silt and gravel in that thing that the conditions can change on a regular basis and in a very short period of time, and there is also the gravel bar issue that is in the...

As I have said, historically, these have on average been in place by June 2nd, so, if we have them in by next week, we could be in as early as four or five days earlier than average.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The staff are out there working and doing their due diligence. I would have to get back to the Member on the exact timing that Transport Canada will be in there to do their stuff, but, from my indication, what I have gotten from the department so far is that we are on schedule to have both the Louis Cardinal and Abraham Francis ferries in the water and operational by next week.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following four documents entitled "Follow-Up Letter for Oral Question 502-18(3), Avalon Nechalacho Rare Earth Elements Project"; "Follow-Up Letter for Oral Question 567-18(3), Ice Bridges and Roadside Assistance"; "Follow-Up Letter for Oral Question 650-18(3), Sachs Harbour Power Generation"; and "Follow-Up Letter for Oral Question 670-18(3), Significant Discovery Licences."

On behalf of the Minister of Health and Social Services, I wish to table the following eight documents entitled "Follow-Up Letter for Oral Question 574-18(3): Mental Health Services Wait...

As the Minister responsible, I would be working with all of my Cabinet colleagues to strive to advance the Mackenzie Valley Highway environmental assessment, but, as part of that, the Government of the Northwest Territories' internal efforts to organize itself and move this project forward, the GNWT working groups will be created and led by Infrastructure to address specific issues. These working groups will consist of our government staff from various departments, of course, and agencies, and it is expected that youth issues will be addressed by the appropriate working groups.

As I have said, this is only the first stage of a larger CATSA project. We can take some lessons learned from this. Even the email that I sent out to all Members stating what was going on there, we will make sure that that gets out there before we start these things. I have to double check, though, for the Member, but I think, when you actually book your ticket, they actually notify you, the airlines notify you what's going on at the airport. I will have to check into that, but I have been informed, I think, that is the possibility of what's going on when you book your ticket.

You know...