Robert C. McLeod

The recent findings of the freeze of arsenic underground at Giant Mine determined that a passive freeze system is preferred, which uses substantially less energy. This means that the energy requirements for Giant remediation may not have a significant impact on energy consumption in the Yellowknife area. I can speak to the Minister of the Power Corporation and would be more than happy to discuss the energy needs of TerraX mine. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, we've paid for the barges. We paid for the barges. The revolving fund was not set up. We paid for the barges and the plan is to have MTS repay that money over 10 years. As I said before, if there's any opportunity and if their revenue is higher than expected they might be able to put more money into repayment of the loan. If they had the revolving fund set up at the time these barges went up for sale then they would have used the revolving fund to purchase these barges, but time was of the essence and a decision had to be made and so a decision was made that we...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. That is correct, but the revolving fund or the MTS I think it is will be paying the money back to the government over 10 years. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I would like to think that all of our projects have opportunities for northern procurement. I'm not sure what the exact procurement will be on this particular project, but I'm sure the Department of Infrastructure will keep Members updated as we move closer to the work on the bridge and what procurement, but we like to think that all of our projects have an opportunity for local and northern procurement. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. My understanding that the price tag on the new bridge is going to be $53 million. It will be built beside the existing bridge, and it will be built to specifications that would allow it to handle larger loads. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Correct, Mr. Chair. The mining industry did have some input. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I have with me, to my right, Mr. David Stewart, deputy minister of the Department of Finance. To my left, I have Mr. Sandy Kalgutkar, deputy secretary of the FMB. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to table the following document entitled "2016-2017 Northwest Territories Water Stewardship Strategy: Progress Review Summary." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. No, I'm not saying MTS is going to be with us for 10 years, I'm saying that the loan is supposed to be paid over 10 years. I suppose if MTS were sold then we would get our money back. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, my understanding is the revolving account wasn't set up. We needed to purchase these double hull barges. We purchased them through this process and there's an opportunity there for the MTS to repay the money back to the government. I suppose if they had some good years where revenue was a bit more than expected, it's just like if we get loans; if we're able to put more money into it, I'm sure they would consider that possibility. Thank you.