Wally Schumann

I want to remind the House of last year, this exact situation. We committed to having a newer, lighter equipment to facilitate the winter road system. We have that machine up and ready and we were training our staff again in the region.

Last year, if I remember the dates between, in the Member's riding, I think the river closed on the 4th and the 8th, and both rivers were open by the 18th. That's only 10 to 12 days of shutdown for access to light vehicles. I think the department did a great job, and I commend them on their efforts, and we will continue to do that and make sure that the impacts...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I answered in my previous question, it's based around communication. We have to communicate with the people and the residents of Fort McPherson and Tsiigehtchic particularly. It's not up to us to tell the gas station how much gas they have in stock or the grocery store how much food they have in stock.

Our job as the government is to indicate that there could be an incoming situation in which there is significant probability that that may happen in the Member's region this year because of the coldness of the water. The department has informed me that it's well below...

The department staff, as I said, met with the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board to discuss the environmental assessment options. Staff will be meeting with the board of the Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated and Chief and Council of the Pehdzeh Ki First Nation next week, as well as officials from the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency Northern Project Management office.

These discussions will influence how the department will approach the environmental assessment and the timing of any associated activities, consistent with an overarching objective of proceeding through...

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following four documents entitled "Follow-Up Letter for Oral Question 177-18(3), Knowledge Economy in the Northwest Territories," "Follow-Up Letter for Oral Questions 263-18(3), Dredging of the Port of Hay River, and 313-18(3), Dredging in Hay River Harbour," "Follow-Up Letter for Oral Question 296-18(3), Ingraham Trail Maintenance Schedule," and "Follow-up Letter to Oral Question 353-18(3), Tsiigehtchic Ferry Landing." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, that Bill 21, An Act to Amend the Northwest Territories Business Development and Investment Corporation Act, be read for the second time. This bill amends the Northwest Territories Business Development and Investment Corporation Act to allow the Northwest Territories Business Development and Investment Corporation to use money received by the corporation in interest in a financial year for the purpose of carrying on business of the corporation in the following fiscal year if certain conditions are met, and correct an...

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, that Bill 21, An Act to Amend the Northwest Territories Business Development and Investment Corporation Act, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document entitled "Northwest Territories Office of the Regulator of Oil and Gas Operations Annual Report 2017-2018." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. This is not just about a fiscal reduction. We have got to do a review every five years, and we are going to do that. I am the Minister of ITI; they are under my realm, and I want to have a serious look at how this place is operating and what overlaps with other lending institutes we have in the Northwest Territories, and are we best facilitating and organization that meets the needs of the residents of the Northwest Territories and using our cash wisely. That is what you call prudent management, and we will continue to do that going forward. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am glad to inform the Member we have already directed our superintendent to reach out to the community, which they have. They are in discussions. We were going to provide assistance with the community on how to prepare their CAP proposal for this project through the Department of Infrastructure, and we will be working with them closely, and I will be following this project closely.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I suspect we can share that during the business planning sessions as we go forward and be able to do it through that process. Thank you, Mr. Chair.