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Boundaries revealed for Thaidene Nene national park in NWT Parks Canada revealed a much smaller federal park within numerous territorial protected areas in the East Arm last week. See page 6. Alberta and UNDRIP the long road ahead Premier Rachel Notley has a challenging future ahead of her in implementing the UN Declaration on Indigenous Rights in Alberta according to lawyer Larry Innes. See page 14. FOUNDING A NATION New plaque honours NWT Mtis patriarch Francois Beaulieu II. See page 7. Kieron Testart drops out of Liberal nomination race WesternArcticLiberalAssoci- ationpresidentKieronTestart withdrewfromthefederalLib- eralnominationracelastweek to support another contender. See page 11. Ottawa gives new funding for Inuvik Satellite Facility The Inuvik Satellite Station Facility received a funding boost and new antenna from Natural Resources Canada last week. See page 2. V IS IT W W W .N O R J.C A A national award winning independent newspaper serving northern Alberta and the Northwest Territories since 1977 1.00 August 4 2015 Vol. 39 No. 14 Highway 5 snubbed by Ottawa in funding announcement Fort Smith roadway only NWT route not to receive funds By MEAGAN WOHLBERG The road to Canadas largest na- tional park is a rocky one but the relationship between Canada and the NWT over who is going to pay for it could become even rockier. Sixty-four kilometres of the only road into and out of Fort Smith have sat unpaved since 1966 as Canada and the Northwest Territories argue over who is responsible for complet- ingthestretchofroadthroughWood Buffalo National Park which would cost an estimated 20 million. While the majority of Highway 5 has been paved or chip-sealed the hard-packed gravel section cutting through the north edge of the park sits pitted and potholed no longer meeting standards for traffic speed and volume. I drove it last week twice and its terrible - potholes and wash- board said Thebacha MLA Mi- chael Miltenberger. Last week the federal govern- ment announced up to 72 million infundingforhighwayimprovement projects in the NWT over the next 10 years with the territorial govern- ment contributing the remaining 25 per cent or 24 million to the proj- ect for a total of 96 million. stepped in to fill the holes in the roadway said he was extremely disappointed. The territorial government was there to play its part and the federal government refused to approve the Officials with the NWT depart- ment of Transportation DOT say they are fully conscious of the omis- sion.WhiletheyhadaskedthatHigh- way 5 be included in the funding package they were told the unpaved section of Highway 5 was ineligible under the Building Canada Plans Provincial-TerritorialInfrastructure ComponentPTICfundingbecause its on federal land. During our submission to the BuildingCanadafundthe64kilome- tresofparkroadweredisqualifiedby the government because its federal infrastructure said NWT Trans- portation Minister Tom Beaulieu. InsteadtheGNWTwasdirectedto applyforfundingundertheNational Park Infrastructure Improvement program. They did so late last year sending numerous letters and hold- ing meetings with Leona Aglukkaq minister responsible for Parks and theNorthernEconomicDevelopment Agencybuthavereceivednoresponse. See NWT funding on page 3. The roads to receive federal fund- ing include the Mackenzie Highway 1 Hay River Highway 2 Yellow- knife Highway 3 Ingraham Trail Highway 4 the Dempster High- way 8 Fort Resolution Highway 6 the Liard Highway 7 and the Dettah Access Road. That is every major roadway ex- cept Highway 5 into Fort Smith. Miltenberger who had expected last weeks announcement would be the moment the federal government project he said. To be the only road in the NWT not to get funding is disappointing and unfair. While he understands Parks Can- ada has a 3-billion infrastructure deficit Miltenberger said the agency still has to fulfill its commitment to the road. They know we dont have a pot of money for it he said. Its an all-around unfortunate situation and the community of Fort Smith is suffering because of it. To be the only road in the NWT not to get funding is disappointing and unfair. Thebacha MLA Michael Miltenberger PhotoDaliCarmichael Kayaker Chris Cadieux tries his best to muscle his way down the Mountain Portage rapids while participating in the seventh annual Paddlefest a summertime staple hosted on the Slave River in Fort Smith. For photos from this weekends competitions and family friendly events head to pages 8 9.