Wally Schumann

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As we were moving forward with this and learning more about the whole process, the airlines have argued that there is a financial burden put upon them by collecting this fee. It has been negotiated across the country to remit the airline improvement fee to them and give them a commission on this moving forward. We are well aware of the situation. It is a balancing act, just like anything, if we are going to impose this on the airlines, that they are reimbursed something that is sustainable for them as well moving forward. I wouldn't say it is a hidden fee. It is part of...

We have known about this all along, that there was a fee charged by the airlines to implement this and a cost associated with them. It is customary right across Canada, as the article said in the newspaper yesterday. I don't believe we have presented it to standing committee or to the public in our presentations, just believing we were focusing on the costs of the airport improvement fee, which was important to get that out there so people know the cost of the southbound and northbound ticket. It was probably our oversight that this part wasn't included in it. That is my explanation on it.

I am happy to say in the House today that we will join this week-long event, and we will be sending Government of the Northwest Territories representatives to attend ARENA. I will welcome delegates on March 24 to Yellowknife. Our Public Works and Services Energy Division will make a presentation later that day to provide an update on our efforts to develop our 10-year energy strategy moving forward as well. To add to that, the Power Corporation has arranged for tours for the hybrid solar and diesel battery storage project in Cobalt Lake. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Yes, we were well aware that this fee was charged when the airlines collect the outbound passengers, so that is the answer.

Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories has made a commitment in its mandate to increase online accessibility to driver and motor vehicle services as well as commercial permitting services. I'd like to tell Members today about work the Department of Transportation has done to fulfill that commitment.

Over the past four years, residents and businesses of the Northwest Territories have been able to access a number of secure online driver and motor vehicle services such as vehicle registration, renewals, driver abstracts, driver testing appointment booking, rescheduling or...

I wish to table the following document entitled “Strategy for Revitalizing the Great Slave Lake Commercial Fishery - March 2017.” Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I want to thank the Member for bringing that forward. Yes, the Yellowknife Airport has a significant economic benefit to the City of Yellowknife and the residents of the Northwest Territories, with a thousand direct jobs. When we move to this new funding model for how we develop the airport, it has the potential of creating probably tonnes of more jobs. I couldn't give him the exact number. We realize the economic potential that lies there, particularly for the City of Yellowknife. It brings in significant amount of dollars to the community as well as the Northwest Territories.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The plan moving forward is, yes, we are going to introduce an airport improvement fee into the Yellowknife Airport to help pay for some capital expenditures moving forward. The airline fees typically charge a percentage on these fees across Canada, and it is something that we are keeping a close eye on. As the Member alluded, that is in the news today, and we will see what the outcome is from that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As soon as we pass the budget and pass the Revolving Funds Act, we will be able to address this. Moving forward, we anticipate to collect upwards of $8 million to $9 million extra in revenue per year, offsetting the $4 million that the government already subsidized the airport by, so, with the collection of these new fees, we will be able to invest this money at an opportune time once we move forward.

Mr. Speaker, the NWT economy needs a boost right now and the Yellowknife Airport is an important instrument of economic diversity. Finding new, proven ways to support and fund improvements and growth at the airport will help strengthen and diversify the NWT economy and create benefits for all travellers and business that use the airport.

The Department of Transportation is engaged with air carriers, the public, and other key stakeholders who believe there is an opportunity to improve the Yellowknife Airport to support economic growth and better services. To achieve this, the Department of...