SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
When the legislative assembly is in session, question period is held each day. News/North will publish particularly interesting or newsworthy excerpts when warranted.
This week features an exchange between Sahtu MLA Daniel McNeely and Infrastructure Minister Robert C. McLeod on funding for the next stage of the Mackenzie Valley Highway, with Speaker Jackson Lafferty moderating:
Question on the progress of transportation infrastructure projects
MR. MCNEELY:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier, I had mentioned strategies tabled by this government, and more specifically my question today is on the transportation strategy here, to the Department of Infrastructure.
My question: since the last session, and more specifically, what progress has the department accomplished or done since the tabling of the federal government's budget this past couple of months?
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
MR. SPEAKER:
Masi. Minister for Infrastructure.
HON. ROBERT MCLEOD:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Since the federal government has passed their budget, I and the premier had the opportunity to go down there and talk to the minister of infrastructure, the minister of transportation, and also the minister of fisheries and oceans to figure out the plans that the government has laid out in their budgets. We have learned a lot of different things about different pots of money and how they are spread out through different ministries and the time-frame that has been laid out for these different pots of money.
Our government will continue to work with the federal government to figure out the best way forward for the Government of the Northwest Territories.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
MR. MCNEELY:
Now that there has been some dialogue on the programs available to Canadians, more specifically on the application of the Mackenzie Valley Highway, has the minister and the group had some discussions on a formula or financing plan on the programs available to support the Mackenzie Valley Highway application?
HON. ROBERT MCLEOD:
When we were down there talking to the federal minister of infrastructure and transportation, which is two different pots of money, our understanding is the Mackenzie Valley Highway application is still there.
It is still frozen until the federal government has figured out what they are going to do on bilateral agreements with the territories and provinces and Canada and how they are going to roll out some of this other infrastructure money.
MR. MCNEELY:
When does the minister expect to have a decision on the bilateral reviews and the decision on the application that this government continues to support as a priority for the Mackenzie Valley Highway extension?
HON. ROBERT MCLEOD:
My understanding with our conversation with the federal Minister is that decisions on most pots of money around infrastructure will be decided by fall of this year.
MR. SPEAKER:
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Sahtu.
MR. MCNEELY:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am very happy to hear that we are drawing near to a decision on the highway application that was submitted by the previous government. Will the minister keep us informed if there is an immediate reply this coming fall?
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
HON. ROBERT MCLEOD:
As soon as we hear something from the federal government, I will definitely let the House know. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
MR. SPEAKER:
Masi.
