Shane Thompson

I thank the Minister for both answers. It is unfortunate. I have had concerns from our residents saying that we have hunters using their cabins, and that is unfortunate. I respect that they do not have jurisdiction on it. I could probably answer this question as well, but I am going to ask the Minister anyway. What are the department officers able to do when they are out there and they see people under the influence, whether it is on the road or in boats? What is their role? What can they do to address this issue?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we all know we’re in the hunting season. Right now, the residents of Nahendeh have seen a large influx of out-of-town hunters around on the roads and in the river. Unfortunately, we’re not seeing the wildlife officers out there or if they’re out there, we’re not seeing them right now. People are concerned about that because we’re not sure if these hunters have valid hunter’s licenses and are following the rules. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources explain how wildlife officers are scheduled during the hunting season. Thank you...

I thank the Minister for that answer. I think the community will be happy to at least get some of their costs back, and I greatly appreciate it. In normal situations, Fort Simpson is the location where people get located to. Unfortunately the community, with the ferry and that, decided to go to Fort Liard. Fort Liard did a great job, but will the department be looking at getting the community of Fort Liard better prepared for future situations so that they can actually evacuate to Fort Liard instead of Fort Simpson, which has to rely on a ferry system?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to follow up on my Member's statement with questions for the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. Mr. Speaker, since the community initiated the evacuation to Ford Liard, does the department cover the costs incurred by the community of Nahanni Butte? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. In my opening comments here I talked to the Minister about the Highway No. 1 section from N'Dulee Crossing to Wrigley and the shape it is and the areas of concern. Can the Minister advise: has the department looked at these issues and is this part of the plan here, or will it be part of the plan in the future? Thank you, Mr. Chair. That's on page 46.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I thank the Minister for that commitment, and look forward to working with him on this. I guess I'm looking at the regional centres that have already been applying for this program. Will the Minister, I know it sounds hypocritical of myself, but commit to follow through on those projects that they've already applied for in good faith? Will the Minister be willing to work with those projects they've committed to? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I thank the Minister for his answer and look forward to that information. With that information, could they put the value that the department has put into these projects as well?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I thank the Minister for his answer. It is great to hear that the department has been looking at it. I can now share this information with my constituents. Mr. Speaker, if these options are not workable, which the Minister says they are not, will the Minister look at the idea of building a bridge across the Liard River or look at the idea of a floating bridge similar to the one in southern BC?

I thank the Minister for that answer. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister advise us if the issue is the drafting capabilities of the MV Lafferty Ferry? Would the situation be alleviated by recommissioning the Merv Hardie ferry to this crossing?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize two people here. They are here from Ottawa. They are Nick Gregg, or little Nick as we call him at camp, and Rebecca Bisson. I thank them very much. They are from Northern Youth Abroad.