Jason Unrau
Northern News Services
Friday, February 19, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - Kevin Menicoche was questioned about $25 million in federal funding for the Great Bear River bridge.

"This bridge is vital to our gas and resource development and is part of strengthening our highway system," said Yakeleya in Monday's question period. "Will the minister revisit this?" Menicoche said that the 2004 Canada Strategic Infrastructure funding was not enough to build the bridge, which has an estimated cost of $40 million.

"At that time it was beyond the scope of our ministry," said Menicoche. "(But) we were able to get an agreement to re-allocate that funding for other bridge projects (in the region)."

Lafferty gets pledge on Gameti RCMP detachment:

RCMP needed

Monfwi MLA Jackson Lafferty continued to pressure Justice Minister Brendan Bell for a permanent RCMP detachment in Gameti. "I'm beginning to wonder if we'll ever address this concern," he said. "

Bell said both the RCMP and the current government concur with Gameti residents that a permanent detachment is necessary, categorizing it as, "absolutely a priority."

While Bell said the federal government would be on the hook for the cost of building the detachment, it is the GNWT's responsibility to "find the dollars for operational expenses."

"I'd like to see a commitment to a full-time presence before we leave office next year," added Bell. "And I will be sitting down with my colleagues to make the case for a permanent detachment."

Currently, RCMP patrols the Tlicho community when Gameti is accessible by winter road.