Mr. Chairman, that is excellent news about Behchoko and Chief Jimmy Bruneau. It will be great for our youth to be exposed to this. I really hope that we can put some extra effort into establishing these in the regional centres, at least.
I’d like to point out that both Fort Simpson and Behchoko are closer than Yellowknife to the source of the pellets. And in fact, Fort Simpson is closer to a high-BTU pellet and, in fact, considerably cheaper than Yellowknife pays. But I’ll take those comments, and thank you very much again just highlighting the need to be really progressive there for big savings. Thank you.
Mr. Chairman, with respect to the boiler systems, in Fort Simpson there’s been some debate and discussion over the last couple of years about the fate of Deh Cho Hall, et cetera. But now what we’re actually talking about, with two new boilers, we’re talking about the fate of our central heating system.
It’s been my contention in terms of reducing emissions and saving our environment…. Europe has been using central heating systems for decades now. For the most part, when we installed that in Fort Simpson and several other communities, the cost savings are there, the efficiencies are there, and that’s something our government should explore more.
I would go one further and ask the government to examine keeping the central heating system in Fort Simpson or replacing or refurbishing it. The existing system is 50 years old and must be replaced, but it’s far better that we look at alternatives and create a new central heating system that would serve the needs of the two schools and any other new buildings that are going up there.
I don’t know if the government has looked at that. I don’t know if the Premier can answer that, or perhaps the Minister of Public Works can answer the assessment of a central heating system. It really makes sense, especially in this day and age.
With respect to the boiler system, I know they’re going in there. Having a look at an ultimately a more efficient boiler system is, of course, something that this side of the House has been urging government to do. Assessments are currently going on to install a new boiler system into the new unit.
Mr. Chairman, again, the Minister of Public Works and Services probably has more detail on this project.
Mr. Chairman, the central heating plant in Simpson has been there for quite a long time and it heated four facilities: the recreation complex, the Thomas Simpson Secondary School, the Bompas Elementary School and the Deh Cho Hall. It has been studied on a number of occasions for economic viability. However, no decisions have been made on it. The situation that we are in now, to remove the Deh Cho Hall from the system…. This will change the dynamics of it and sort of make it something to require us to conduct another review to make the appropriate decisions.
Last year in March we hired an engineering firm to look at the alternatives for upgrading or replacing the central heating system from the present options. Last July we got a report, and the report recommends that we change the steam boilers for the new hydraulic boilers with the associated infrastructure. This option will provide the lowest life-cycle cost. It is the best option with most flexibility for future changes to alternate fuel sources, such as wood pellet technology. So that is the rush now and the reason we are going with this new system.
Mr. Chairman, I would like to move a motion that we report progress.
Motion carried.
Can I have the report of the Committee of the Whole, please, Mr. Krutko.
Mr. Speaker, the committee has been considering Bill 1, Interim Appropriation Act, 2008-2009, and would like to report progress with two motions being adopted.
I move that the report of the Committee of the Whole be concurred with.
Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Motion is on the floor. Do we have a seconder? The honourable Member from Nunakput, Mr. Jacobson.
Motion carried.
Item 22, third reading of bills. Madam Clerk, item 23, Orders of the Day.
Thank you, Madam Clerk. Accordingly, this House stands adjourned until Tuesday, February 19, 2008, at 1:30 p.m.
The House adjourned at 5:53 p.m.
