Mr. Speaker, in 2007 the newly elected 16th Legislative Assembly identified a vision of “Strong individuals, families and communities sharing the benefits and responsibilities of a unified, environmentally sustainable and prosperous Northwest Territories.” Today I would like to provide an update on a critical project that supports this goal: the Mackenzie Gas Project. This basin opening project and nation building endeavour will be a key economic driver for our future. Constructed and operated in an environmentally and socially responsible way, the pipeline will provide a secure supply of natural gas to southern markets.
Construction and operations of the project will require over 208,000 person years of employment. It is estimated that the Mackenzie Gas Project could contribute $68 billion to the Northwest Territories economy and over $86 billion to the Canadian economy.
But the benefits of the project are not only economic. One of the greatest benefits of the project will be the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The Mackenzie Gas Project will significantly contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in North America.
The impacts of global warming are being felt all over the world, and especially in Canada’s North. The delivery of natural gas to the North American market will mean displacement of dirtier, coal-powered electricity generation. Natural gas will be the transition fuel to a lower-carbon economy.
Mr. Speaker, in March of this year the federal government granted its approval for the National Energy Board’s Reasons of Decision. As a result, the board issued the Mackenzie Gas Project a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity.
Now the project proponents have the necessary authorization to start building the pipeline. The board stipulated that the project proponents must report on their decision to construct by December 2013, and that construction on the Mackenzie Gas Project must begin no later than 2015.
We welcome the opportunity to work with the newly elected federal government to address the items necessary to see this project become a reality.
One of these items is ensuring a fiscal framework agreement is in place between the proponents and the federal government. This is the one element which the proponents have underlined as being absolutely essential in their decision-making process.
Mr. Speaker, last month, while on a campaign visit in Yellowknife, Prime Minister Stephen Harper reiterated his Cabinet’s commitment to support the Mackenzie Gas Project. He stated that the federal government would make a package available to deal with infrastructure issues and other challenges that arise with the Mackenzie Gas Project.
The Government of the Northwest Territories would also like to see the newly formed Conservative government follow up on previous commitments regarding the $500 million Mackenzie Gas Project Impact Fund. This fund is aimed at mitigating socio-economic impacts on all northern residents along the pipeline route. Since these resources are to be delivered to a territorial Crown corporation, we are urging the federal government to establish the fund as soon as possible. Plans must be finalized with the organizations responsible for administrating the fund at the regional levels.
Last but not least, we would like the federal government to renew its financial support for the Aboriginal Pipeline Group. The Aboriginal Pipeline Group has set the bar for a new model of Aboriginal participation in the economy through its shared ownership in the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline.
The Government of the Northwest Territories has provided continuous support for the Aboriginal Pipeline Group since its inception. The Aboriginal Pipeline Group will play a major long-term role in enabling a higher level of economic independence and self-reliance for the communities of the Mackenzie Valley.
We will continue to engage with the federal government on these items and others to move this important project forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Deputy Premier, Mr. Miltenberger.
