Michael Miltenberger

The relationship is a broad one. We see the satellite remote sensing industry as being an anchor tenant that…(inaudible)…this project in Inuvik. We’ve put out an expression of interest. There have been about 18 different applications picked up by industry from around the country and the world. They see this as a very unique, novel, and groundbreaking project. We will be working through the joint venture to determine who is successful, and then we’ll be working out an arrangement to build, install and maintain the fibre optic line through the joint venture that’s going to get structured.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Very quickly, the project description work is being done and will be concluded in the next couple of months. We have, as well, put out an expression of interest to the industry about building, running a fibre optic line. There has been substantial interest in that. We’ve met with the Aboriginal governments up and down the valley. A specific interest has been evidenced by the Inuvialuit, Gwich’in and the Sahtu. We are working with them on the joint venture approach. At the same time, we do have an ancillary effort with P3 Canada that is inching along. Our main focus is...

All of the appropriate precautionary measures, processes and procedures have been activated. There was a spill report done. Enbridge kicked into gear their response. The National Energy Board was informed. We’ve been tracking the issue. They’ve collected the contaminated soil for testing, and they’ve put a precautionary sleeve around the affected area or what they believe could be the affected area of the pipeline. We’re waiting for the test results. The matter, as far as I’m aware, seems to be in hand at this juncture.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, we have an update. There was some contaminated soil found a week or so ago, about 30 cubic metres. There was no visible spill. The pipeline was shut down as a precaution as they did the check. Then on the 8th, sorry, the 10th I believe it is, they put a sleeve around the area where they thought there was potential weakness and the pipeline was re-opened.

Let me speak specifically to the fibre optic line. The intent of the joint venture is to have a major piece of telecommunications technology and infrastructure owned and operated by Northerners, Aboriginal government and the territorial government. One of our collective goals is to, while we have a decent return on investment, we want to make it modest enough that we can keep the cost of the service into the communities as reasonable and as modest as possible to make it as affordable as possible to build the customer base. That’s going to be our goal.

The final mile piece in the communities...

The project description for the Mackenzie Valley Highway has been worked on and is complete. We intend to work within the right-of-way of the proposed road. Where there is a cleared right-of-way, we’ll use that. But we’re going to follow that approved route. It’s a trench that’s four inches wide and about six inches deep and very modest in terms of its effect on the environment. It’s trenched, then the cable is laid, and it’s filled in behind. We’re going to use directional drilling. We’re going to go under every creek and river so that we leave the water systems alone. We look at this as...

The protocols are such that once we’re aware of it, there’s a response kicked into gear by Enbridge and the National Energy Board as the responsible agencies involved. As next in line, ENR is involved, and we activate all our processes to make sure we’re working closely with the National Energy Board and Enbridge. That process is in place. Then there’s a communication strategy that kicks into gear, as well, to make sure that folks are aware of what’s happening and what the circumstances are.

The National Energy Board will have the lead on this. They collected all the soil and they’ve sent it away for analysis. They’ve put the precautionary sleeve around the pipeline, and when we get that information back or when I’m made aware of the results of those tests, I will make sure that we share that with the Member.

Yes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member has raised a very specific concern. I will commit to consult with my ENR officials first, and then we will look at what steps need to be taken up to and including the recommendation by the Member that we talk to our federal partner on this. Thank you.