LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
Chipsealing and highway conditions along with land-use in the village were the hot topics when two territorial ministers sat down with Fort Simpson residents.

Ministers Tom Beaulieu, left, and Robert C. McLeod answered questions from the public during a constituency meeting that Nahendeh MLA Kevin Menicoche held in Fort Simpson on June 24. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

Nahendeh MLA Kevin Menicoche held a constituency meeting in the village on June 24. Approximately 10 residents turned out to meet with Menicoche as well as ministers Tom Beaulieu and Robert. C. McLeod.

When the floor was opened to questions from the public, the conversation was quickly steered toward transportation. Kirby Groat, a local resident and business owner, questioned Beaulieu, the minister of transportation, about the chipsealing plan for the Deh Cho over the next few years.

"I'd really like to find out what your latest plan is," he said.

The department plans to chipseal three sections of highways in the region this summer, said Beaulieu. They include 16 kilometres from Checkpoint toward Jean Marie River, 20 km on Highway 7 from the B.C. border toward Fort Liard and 18-km on Highway 1 at the Fort Providence junction where the existing surface that is breaking apart will be re-chipped.

In a Building Canada Plan proposal to the federal government, the department has requested $27 million each for both Highway 1 and 7 to be distributed over the next nine years. If it is secured, the money for Highway 1 would be used to reconstruct the highway and for chipsealing.

The money for Highway 7 would be used for reconstruction, but it wouldn't be enough. It will cost approximately $200 million to reconstruct the entire road, said Beaulieu.

Groat also suggested that the department do more maintenance on the Mackenzie Valley Winter Road. Transport truck drivers talk about how rough it is, he said.

Beaulieu said he's heard from industry sources that the road is improving and held out pretty well this year.

"I think we are improving it every year just by putting in bridges," he said.

The bridges are being installed in preparation for the construction of an all-weather road up the valley.

Land-use and uncertainty around land tenure were also major topics at the meeting

Dennis Nelner, a member of the Fort Simpson District Education Authority, presented McLeod, the minister of municipal and community affairs and lands, with a copy of a draft land-use plan and a policy on land-use planning for school facilities and other buildings the authority has drafted. The plan covers the areas surrounding the two schools and the property that Dehcho Hall used to be situated on.

The plan includes the future construction of a regulation-sized outdoor track, football and soccer field and a technology and trades centre with warehouses.

Nelner questioned whether the territorial government has plans to use a portion of the area for non-education related purposes including the village's new health centre. The authority wants anything that is built in the area to be education-based, he said.

McLeod committed to asking the minister of education about the department's plans for the land. He said he believes the property is set aside as education reserve land so a process would have to be undertaken to change its designation.

Mayor Sean Whelly interjected that wider public input should be sought on what the property is used for. Both a health centre and a track are needed in the community, but a health centre is critical and there are alternative lands a track could be built on, he said.

"The community as a whole has to participate in the discussion," said Whelly.

Dean Pickering, the village's senior administrative officer, also broached a land-related topic. The village needs assistance from the Department of Lands and the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation in determining who has ownership and title on a number of lots in the village, he said.

McLeod said he's committed to Dolly Tsetso, a resident whose property title is in question, to find a resolution to her case. McLeod said the departments will also work with the village and Liidlii Kue First Nation on other properties in this position.

As the minister responsible for the housing corporation, McLeod also outlined upcoming plans for the community.

The corporation has budgeted $3.9 million for Fort Simpson over the next three years for three projects, including the construction of six market rental units that will be used to provide housing for people in professional positions including nurses and teachers, he said. The corporation also plans to replace eight public housing units and do major retrofits on 37 existing units.