Michael Miltenberger

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I’m here to present Supplementary Estimates No. 3, 2010-2011 (Infrastructure Expenditures). This document outlines an increase of $29.254 million for operations expenditures and an increase of $106.800 million for capital investment expenditures in the 2010-2011 fiscal year. The total supplementary request is $136.134 million.

This supplementary estimate includes:

$135.9 million for the carry-over of funding for infrastructure projects. This funding was approved and lapsed in the 2009-10 fiscal period.

The carry-overs for capital investment expenditures in this supplementary...

Once again, when I get that information for the Member about all of the projects that are underway, the Member will see we have done a number of briefings. But we have done a fairly good job in terms of retrofitting our buildings. The Tuk project is moving along. They are trying to fast-track the mini-hydro in Lutselk’e. There is work being done on extending the power lines. We have made fairly significant efforts with biomass, as well, in other areas, with recovering waste heat up the valley. There is a very important piece of work being done for geothermal for both in Yellowknife and in Fort...

Mr. Chairman, I will refer that one to Minister Robert C. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The information and knowledge that is gained is going to come within a framework that we have for our research agenda where we insist on access and where appropriate ownership or where appropriate a shared ownership of the knowledge and information so that we can put it to full use. There will be scientific information that Wilfred Laurier will be putting to use, as well, as they look at how that fits into all the other scientific work that they are doing for us. We will have full and appropriate access to all the knowledge and information and scientific information...

I’ll commit to get that information for committee.

We see this is a significant economic opportunity in the Northwest Territories. We’re spending millions of dollars building the market with our own buildings and facilities, as well as encouraging private individuals to convert. We support the whole issue of partnerships with the private sector and aboriginal governments as a way forward. The other issue, of course, is the size of the plant and the current volume that’s necessary or that’s available to justify the expense. Indications are that a plant that size is bigger considerably than we would need in the foreseeable future. But there are...

Mr. Chairman, I will just reiterate the commitment to provide that information to committee.

Mr. Chairman, to date we have two projects that work has been done on for the estimated cost of about $240,000. Those are the access roads to the Willow River gravel source in Aklavik and Highway No. 3 vulnerability assessment, and what we are looking at for 2010-11 is the risk assessment of NWT Transportation system using Indian and Northern Affairs Canada Adapting to Climate Change, a risk-based guide for arctic and northern communities. We want to do consultation of stakeholders in communities and all levels of government on the findings of the risk assessment. We are looking at some...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I will refer that question to Minister Michael McLeod.

We have done some broad inventories. Very specifically, in the South Slave we’ve worked with the mill down there and we’ve brought a consultant in to look at both the market and the inventory that would be available. And that work has been concluded, I believe.