Highway toll tops government agenda
Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Jun 01/01) - Legislation enacting a highway toll will top the government's agenda when MLAs reunite next week.
Sergeant-at-arms Nicole Latour-Theede will carry the mace into the assembly chamber Tuesday at 1:30 p.m., signalling the start of the fourth session of the 14th assembly.
| Minipoll A recent Northern News Service's Web poll noted: "The government says a toll fee to pay for highways will cost Yellowknife households $275 per year because of increased transport costs." It asked if you agreed or disagreed with the proposed toll. The result was hardly conclusive. There were 86 votes in favor of the toll and 85 against it. |
Handley will also introduce corresponding legislation to increase the Northern cost-of-living tax credit to offset price increases the Handley anticipates will be triggered by the toll.
The government estimates the toll, when fully implemented, could generate as much as $15 million annually.
It proposes to put the revenue in a highway trust fund to be used to cover financing costs of road construction.
"That's a very important piece of work on my agenda," said Great Slave MLA Bill Braden, referring to the toll. "I really believe we need this investment, not only for Yellowknife but the whole NWT."
Braden said he believes the concept of a toll -- to be applied to trucks hauling freight on NWT highways -- is a good one and could play a critical role in advancing the territorial highway development strategy.
Absorbing the costs
Frame Lake MLA Charles Dent noted noted some businesses will have to absorb the increased cost of the toll.
"A company like Miramar, which isn't as profitable as a diamond mine, doesn't have any way to pass on those costs," said Dent.
Like Braden, Dent said the merit of the program will be reflected in details yet to be made public.
Education a priority
Education will be high on the agendas of a both Brendan Bell and Sandy Lee.
Bell said he sees some inequity in funding provided for Yellowknife schools in light of the budget crunch being faced by Yellowknife Education District No. 1.
"I still think there's a larger issue of overall funding ... when you compare us to the Canadian average we're at the bad end of the scale," Bell, MLA for Yellowknife South, said. The NWT fares even worse compared to funding for schools in rural Quebec, he added.
Lee said Education funding is also an issue for her -- noting the evening the session begins public school board trustees will be looking to parents for approval of the budget for the coming school year -- but her top priority will be getting more relief for individuals and businesses coping with the high cost of fuel.
"There are businesses in Yellowknife that are really really suffering," the Range Lake MLA said.
"It's really affecting their profit margin."
