Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
Transportation, housing and education were among the primary issues in the Nahendeh when four elected government officials toured the constituency.

Premier Bob McLeod, left, addresses the crowd at the constituency meeting in Fort Simpson on Aug. 7 as Nahendeh MLA Kevin Menicoche looks on. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

Nahendeh MLA Kevin Menicoche led Premier Bob McLeod and cabinet ministers David Ramsay and Glen Abernethy on a tour of the six communities in his constituency between Aug. 7 and 9.

One of the strengths of consensus style government is leaders come to the communities to see the issues first hand, said Menicoche. A common issue in all of the communities was transportation.

Residents in both Fort Simpson and Fort Liard are concerned about the condition of Highway 7, said Menicoche. Although Ramsay, the minister of transportation, said the highway has been in good condition this summer, Menicoche said that can be attributed to dry weather and with inclement weather the highway deteriorates fast.

During the meeting in Fort Simpson on Aug. 7, Ramsay said repairs to the highway will be costly.

"You have a lot to offer here in the Deh Cho and it's important that we have a highway system that is adequate," he said.

Looking for funds

Menicoche said during the capital planning sessions this fall, he will be looking for funds for maintenance and improvements to the highway.

In Jean Marie River, the transportation concern was related to the community's access road. Residents want the road classified as a highway, which will include making the road wider and building it up higher, said Menicoche.

Menicoche said he was impressed by the fact approximately seven youths attended the community meeting in Jean Marie River.

In Trout Lake, the primary concern was related to the project to build a new airport. The Department of Transportation didn't put out any contracts to have work done on the project this summer, which meant the community's development corporation and residents lost out on a chance for income.

Menicoche said he will be following up with the Department of Transportation on how to get the project completed and will also raise the issue at the legislative assembly in October.

Transportation wasn't the only issue raised during the tour. Speaking on Aug. 10, after the conclusion of the tour, Premier Bob McLeod said he heard a lot of common concerns about housing, education and health visits, particularly in the smaller communities.

Communities need more housing, more visits by health care professionals and for those visits to last longer, McLeod said. The premier said education was an important issue for many. There is some concern that when students go on to post-secondary education they need upgrading, he said.

McLeod said notes were taken at all of the meetings so the larger issues can be addressed on a government-wide basis while local issues are looked at by regional superintendents of the appropriate departments.

McLeod said the assembly committed to visit all of the communities in the territory at least once during its time in office. The visits are important, he said.

"It brings us right to the front lines to gain a better understanding of the issues," said McLeod.

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.