Wally Schumann

Yes, we will commit to having that to the Member by June 29th. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I cannot commit to having it to the Member by June 24th, but I will commit to the Member to have it to him by end of session. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I’ll have to check with the department if that’s exactly how we apply this and grade the roads at the same time, but if that is the case we will ensure that’s how it’s done.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I too would like to recognize two Pages today, Kaitlyn Ring and JD from Hay River. I’d also like to thank all the Pages for their hard work this week, especially with extended hours. Also Myrtle Graham, my CA for assisting with the Pages there this week. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I have quite a few people in the gallery today. Maxime Gauthier, Sheldon Whitlock, Donna Lee and Reagan Jungkind, and Ms. Ann Firth, and Myrtle Graham, my CA, and also the NWT Seniors’ Society. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to oral question asked by Mr. O’Reilly on February 22, 2016, regarding Bathurst caribou management. The Government of the Northwest Territories, or GNWT, acknowledges the hardships experienced by communities who are unable to partake in caribou harvesting activities and is working very hard in collaboration with partners to put actions, plans and processes in place to support the recovery of the herd on a number of fronts. Restricting harvest is not the only management action that is being taken to address the status of the Bathurst herd nor is it one that is...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I have said to the Member and to the House, we will be reviewing it and getting back to the Member shortly. The scope of this project, though, is well beyond the capacity of the CAP program. This $1-million funding that we have for all the communities in the Northwest Territories is a limited pot of money where a number of communities access for seasonal employment and opportunities for their communities. The Hamlet of Aklavik has asked a significant ask on this program. We will review it and get back to him as soon as we can. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The department anticipates the road will lead to opportunities in the Beaufort Delta, including lowering the cost of living to the community of Tuktoyaktuk, lead to more affordable housing, and promote economic development and tourism in the region.

A lead person within the Department of Transportation will be developing an opening ceremony and will be working in conjunction with the communities, with the other GNWT departments, and with the Government of Canada to ensure adequate input is received from all stakeholders. We are anticipating having a concept and preliminary plan for the grand opening later this summer in 2016.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will have to go back to the department and find out exactly how we are going to track this stuff. I will share that information with the Member as soon as I can get that information to him. Thank you, Mr. Speaker