Louis Sebert

Mr. Speaker, I understand from what the Member has said is that there is no boat at Aklavik. I understand that there are several boats in Inuvik. I can look into this for the Member, but I don't have any information before me. Thank you.

My understanding is that the funding is scheduled to end at the end of the 2016 calendar year at which time I assume the project would be evaluated.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following two documents entitled “2015 Annual Report, Northwest Territories Power Corporation” and “2015 Annual Report, Northwest Territories Hydro Corporation”. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It depends, to some degree, on the scope of the project. There could be up to 200 megawatts from the Taltson system, which would supply about 20 per cent of the needs of Saskatchewan. I understand that the likely cost of the project would probably be over $500 million. Perhaps between that and a billion dollars.

I can advise that currently there are seven apprentices at the Power Corporation. Those seven are already full-time employees and they will be offered permanent employment upon the successful completion of their apprenticeships. We currently have four journeyman employees that have completed their apprenticeships through the Power Corporation.

Yes, I can advise that we follow the GNWT-developed program for our apprentices. Our apprentices are all registered with the GNWT ECE, and we follow their hours and schooling procedures.

Thank you. The Members will know that this is a pilot project and as part of the contract, the Tree of Peace was responsible for documenting the program. The funding, as I understand it, is only established until the end of the year 2016.

Yes, of course. The exact cost is not yet known at this time and we are contemplating a situation in which Saskatchewan would be paying a considerable portion of this. This would seem to be the type of project that the federal government would be interested in, and I think, if we move ahead further with Saskatchewan, that likely we will be approaching the federal government. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Power Corporation is investigating with SaskPower the potential of interconnection from Taltson to Uranium City. What's changed in the last period of time, in the last year in fact, is that Saskatchewan now is committed to reach 50 per cent renewable energy mixed by 2030. That being the case, they will need 1100 megawatts of generation. This has opened an opportunity for us and we are investigating that with SaskPower. Thank you.

I understand that we have a long-term program of developing apprentices, and I assume we work consistently with other government departments. I don't have any direct evidence of that, but I assume that to be the case.