Wally Schumann

In terms of industrial targets, the specific emission reduction target of 89 kilotonnes for industry is identified in the graphic shown, actually, on page 32 of the Climate Change Strategic Framework. This target for industry is part of the overall 517-kilotonne reduction target for the NWT to be achieved by 2030 through the strategic objectives and actions outlined in the 2030 Energy Strategy.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources is working on a Climate Change Strategic Framework Action Plan, which they expect to finalize later this year.

As I've said, there is a full layer of gravel and it needs to be laid down on some sections, and compacting that needs to be done this year. Some of this work wasn't done in the fall of last year due to the early cold temperatures, when that type of work can't be performed. There will be additional signage that needs to be installed around there, shaping of embankments in different places along the highway system, and deficiencies and final inspection, and like I said, some work around the bridges and culverts that needs to be finished up.

People have to realize that this is a new highway. We...

Based on a 20-year average of opening and closing of the Inuvik winter road, we gained 45 days of access to the community of Tuktoyaktuk this year, with the winter road opening in November of last year to May 12th of this year. As all Members know, this has been a concern in the media lately, but one thing that people have to know is that this road is still under construction and we are working on it. The other thing that I always like to make very prevalent about this whole thing is that this highway was constructed in one of the harshest environments in Canada, and our contractors did a heck...

The department has been in contact with the DFO and, at present, they still have not indicated what the future plans are regarding the Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation, but they have expressed to me and the Premier for sure that they want to ensure that the inland fishery survives, and sustainably, moving forward, and we will continue to update this House as we get more information of what DFO's plans are. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

A business plan was developed in partnership with the Tu Cho fishery, which is a business arm of the NWT Fishing Federation. The accounts for utilities were part of the operational expense. The business plan was based on a worst case scenario, and it still shows a profit based on the historic catches of the lake, and especially the latest quotas we are been pulling out of the lake. So, worst case scenario, this thing still makes money.

We want to see this thing succeed. That's why we put so much energy and time and money into this. We are working with the fishermen to make sure that this...

If the Member could share the date with my staff, we'll certainly have a look at it. Anything we can do to promote tourism in the Northwest Territories, especially around Aboriginal tourism and in the small communities to help bring economic opportunities to them, we will certainly participate.

As soon as we have Transport Canada approval to be in operation, the ferries will start operating. We are hoping, as I said, that probably the Fort McPherson ferry will be the first one in operation, and hopefully by May 28th or June 1st at the very latest would be the Tsiigehtchic ferry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will try to make this quick and try to get some more questions in for everybody. The Louis Cardinal, this year we were doing paint and deck repairs, under way all this week. We installed four brand new engines in the Louis Cardinal this season during the winter. The department is working with Transport Canada to complete the vessel inspections on that and inspect the new engines and the hull to be conducted today with the federal government.

On the Abraham Francis, there are the ramps that are going to be replaced. One of them has been completed already, and we are...

As all Members are well aware, we announced all three of these together. The 2030 Climate Change Strategic Framework, the 2030 Energy Strategy, and the Petroleum Strategy, as they are all linked together, were publicly released here in the Assembly on May 1, 2018.

Various federal officials have already been made aware of it. To date, the GNWT has not received any formal feedback from any federal Ministers at this point, but the response that we have had from federal people so far has been very positive, and they are pleased that we are doing our part to meet the Pan-Canadian Framework targets.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The 227-kilotonne reduction anticipated from the Taltson expansion is the premise of hydro generation and transmission lines to displace any diesel power generation in the Northwest Territories. The Government of the Northwest Territories identified this priority as part of our response to the federal government's Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change, along with other energy and transportation priorities. Some of the work that we plan to do includes defining the potential market, capital costs, transmission line routing, and finalizing a business case...