Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The department set out and did a thorough analysis of whether or not they could move the Merv Hardie there. It was determined that a better economic fix was to retrofit the Louis Cardinal. It is less expensive to operate the Louis Cardinal.
On the Mackenzie River, the best way to explain this is we had the Merv Hardie run up until December and sometimes even into the first week of January, while the ice road was being put in. Sometimes it could operate until the ice road came in. That extended service to the North Slave region until the end of December or beginning of January. The same thing is envisioned for the Mackenzie Delta at the Peel River crossing for the Louis Cardinal, being able to operate in ice conditions maybe up until Christmastime or maybe a little bit past Christmas. It is going to have a profound impact on the cost of goods in the region, and for people travelling and any commerce that is taking place up there and the movement of goods. It is really going to impact the entire region in a positive way. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate the Minister of Transportation‘s clarification. I do know that the Merv Hardie is a class 2 icebreaker. What is the classification of the Louis Cardinal? Thank you.
It is anticipated that the Louis Cardinal will be able to perform in ice similar to the Merv Hardie. The other thing I should mention, as well, the Merv Hardie would have required a big retrofit and replacement of some engines on the vessel. That would have probably been another $1.5 million in one-time capital costs immediately. Again, that was all factored in. I think Minister Miltenberger mentioned the use of a backhoe on the Cardinal to clear ice. It will perform and we look forward to the Louis Cardinal working well into December this coming fall in the Mackenzie Delta.
I appreciate the Minister‘s comments. When the Minister is able, I’m sure he can probably provide the classification of the vessel. Again, these classifications have a certain capacity in terms of definition. So at least we can compare apples to apples when we talk about the efficiencies of these vessels.
Mr. Chair, I’m going to leave it at that. If there are any other questions, I’m sure the Member for Mackenzie Delta, if he wants to weigh in, he can; but if everyone feels that this is the go-forward and this is the best way to provide services and costs to the people of the Beau-Del area and the Mackenzie area, then I’ll leave it at that. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. I’ll take that as a comment. Mr. Blake.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I’d just like to ask whichever Minister decides to answer. This year it will be sort of a pilot project on this service. If this doesn’t play out as the plan goes, next year will the department look at bringing the Merv Hardie down to Tsiigehtchic? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Blake. Minister Ramsay.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Again, this is the first year that we’re going to be trying the Cardinal, extending the season in the region, and our engineers and our folks at DOT marine believe that the Cardinal has the capability to perform. We’ll see how it does this fall.
Failing that, with an investment of $1.5 million on the engines, the Merv Hardie is a very capable backup vessel for us system-wide. So we do have that at hand as well.
I’d just like to make a comment. I’m really looking forward to this fall to see how this project goes. I know the people in the Mackenzie Delta and the Beaufort-Delta will be very happy and encouraged by this. Thank you.
Thank you for those comments, Mr. Blake. Marine, previously, not authorized, $1.398 million.
Agreed.
Boat licensing and safety, not previously authorized, $3,000.
Agreed.
Total department, not previously authorized, $3.929 million.
Agreed.
Page 13, Industry, Tourism and Investment, operations expenditures, corporate management, not previously authorized, negative $96,000.
Agreed.
Mineral and petroleum resources, not previously authorized, $343,000.
Agreed.
Tourism and parks, not previously authorized, $3,000.
Agreed.
Economic diversification and business support, not previously authorized, $15,000.
Agreed.
Total department, not previously authorized, $265,000.
Agreed.
Page 14, Environment and Natural Resources, operations expenditures, corporate management, not previously authorized, negative $95,000.
Agreed.
Environment, not previously authorized, $2,000.
Agreed.
Forest management, not previously authorized, $180,000.
Agreed.
Wildlife, not previously authorized, $13,000.
Agreed.
Total department, not previously authorized, $100,000.
Agreed.
Does committee agree that we’ve concluded consideration of Tabled Document 79-17(4), Supplementary Appropriation No. 2?
Agreed.
Thank you, Minister and witnesses. Ms. Bisaro, sorry.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move, that consideration of Tabled Document 79-17(4), Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 2013-2014, be now concluded and that Tabled Document 79-17(4) be reported and recommended as ready for further consideration in formal session through the form of an appropriation bill.
The motion is being distributed.
Question.
Question has been called. The motion is carried.
---Carried
Thank you, Minister and witnesses. Will the Sergeant-at-Arms please escort the witnesses from the Chamber. What is the wish of committee? Ms. Bisaro.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move we report progress.
---Carried
I will now rise and report progress.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Your committee has been considering Tabled Document 79-17(4), Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 2013-2014, and would like to report progress with one motion being adopted, and that consideration of Tabled Document 79-17(4), Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 2013-2014, be concluded, and that the House concur with this estimate and that an appropriation bill be based thereon and be introduced without delay. Mr. Speaker, I move that the report of Committee of Whole be concurred with.
Thank you, Mr. Bouchard. Is there a seconder to the motion? Mrs. Groenewegen. The motion is carried.
---Carried
