Debates of May 10, 2007 (day 4)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions this afternoon are for the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Menicoche. It regards information that I recently heard that there are fuel shortages at the Yellowknife Airport, Mr. Speaker.

A few weeks ago, the airport in Fort Simpson encountered a similar situation due to what was understood to be an error by the fuel supplier. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister advise the Assembly of this problem or confirm that this problem does indeed exist at the Yellowknife Airport? Does it pose any threat to reliable air transportation for the region, Mr. Speaker?

Thank you, Mr. Braden. The honourable Minister of Transportation, Mr. Menicoche.

Return To Question 48-15(6): Aviation Fuel Shortages At The Yellowknife Airport

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I was advised earlier this week of a potential problem of a fuel shortage at the Yellowknife Airport. We have made some inquiries. There is enough fuel in the city of Yellowknife that is provided for aeronautical needs up until next Tuesday or Wednesday, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Supplementary To Question 48-15(6): Aviation Fuel Shortages At The Yellowknife Airport

Mr. Speaker, has the department notified all of the air carriers? What contingency plans are in place to ensure uninterrupted air service should we hit that unfortunate circumstance by early next week, Mr. Speaker?

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Menicoche.

Further Return To Question 48-15(6): Aviation Fuel Shortages At The Yellowknife Airport

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I should have added that there is good news for the Fort Providence ferry. It will be running this coming Monday. It is good for the travelling public.

---Applause

As well, the suppliers are aware of this. They do have stock waiting at Providence right now to cross on that first ferry to provide for aircraft fuel for the city of Yellowknife. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Braden.

Supplementary To Question 48-15(6): Aviation Fuel Shortages At The Yellowknife Airport

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the information by the Minister. He gives us a certain extraordinary confidence that the ferry will be in the water by Monday. That is four days from now. A lot can happen in that time. I am going to return to the question that I originally asked. Has the department advised the air carriers of this problem? Are there contingency plans in place? I am not ready to accept that the ferry will resume service on Monday, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Menicoche.

Further Return To Question 48-15(6): Aviation Fuel Shortages At The Yellowknife Airport

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know the department has not offered an advisory to the aircraft carriers, but there are other contingencies that are being looked at. We don’t feel it is a problem at this point. One of them, of course, is landing and using the Hay River Airport there. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Final supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Supplementary To Question 48-15(6): Aviation Fuel Shortages At The Yellowknife Airport

Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister, whose responsibility is it to maintain adequate fuel supplies at the Yellowknife Airport especially at such a critical time? It is break-up season not just for the resupply to Yellowknife but all across the Northwest Territories. Fuel supplies are essential at this time of year. Whose responsibility is it to maintain this fuel supply? Just what happened to cause this potentially disastrous situation, Mr. Speaker?

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Menicoche.

Further Return To Question 48-15(6): Aviation Fuel Shortages At The Yellowknife Airport

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The responsibility for providing necessary fuel does not lie with the department. However, we do facilitate discussions with suppliers and users of the fuel. In this case, once again, it is the early shut down of the ice bridge that led to this. Hopefully, some of the few things that we are doing which, of course, long term is the Deh Cho Bridge. It will help alleviate these kinds of problems. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.