Debates of October 18, 2005 (day 12)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we all know that the Premier’s favourite subjects are devolution, hydro and, definitely, pipeline. So my questions that I’d like to ask today to the Premier are what actions this government will be taking, if any, to prevent Imperial Oil from backing out or postponing the Mackenzie Valley pipeline project. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Premier, Mr. Handley.

Return To Question 145-15(4): Mackenzie Gas Project Planning Costs

Mr. Speaker, if Imperial were to decide not to proceed with the pipeline, there is nothing we could do. That is a board of directors of Imperial’s decision, and they are not required to build a pipeline. Having said that, Mr. Speaker, there is a lot that we’re doing in order to encourage the building of that pipeline. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 145-15(4): Mackenzie Gas Project Planning Costs

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Premier tell us today how much money, to date, this government has spent on pipeline preparedness? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Premier, Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 145-15(4): Mackenzie Gas Project Planning Costs

Mr. Speaker, I can’t tell you how much the government has spent in total in preparation for the pipeline, because all of our departments, almost without exception, have been involved in some way or another. We have all spent time on this issue. As well, Mr. Speaker, it would take a lot of time to pull that kind of information together. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 145-15(4): Mackenzie Gas Project Planning Costs

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’m concerned that there’s no backup plan if the pipeline doesn’t go through. Can the Premier tell me what will happen to this investment if the pipeline doesn’t go ahead? Will we have any long-term plan for the benefits that we’ve been studying or thinking about?

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Premier, Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 145-15(4): Mackenzie Gas Project Planning Costs

Mr. Speaker, diversification of our economy has long been a goal of our government. We have a very active diamond mining industry. We have a lot of exploration going on for other kinds of minerals. There are two or three pipelines coming out of the Territories right now: two coming out of the Deh Cho and one from Norman Wells. Mr. Speaker, I expect that everything isn’t going to come to a stop if we don’t have the pipeline. But, Mr. Speaker, it would be a sad day if we don’t see the pipeline, in my view, because this one does represent a huge opportunity that would be lost, and we would see many of the people living, particularly in the smaller communities along the valley, who would be hard pressed to find employment and self-sufficiency. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Your final supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 145-15(4): Mackenzie Gas Project Planning Costs

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Referring to my Member’s statement, I pointed out that there were more than 30 positions that have mushroomed all about pipeline preparedness. So millions of dollars are being poured into this. What, if any, is the strategy for the long term with respect to these pipeline preparedness positions, keeping in mind that this pipeline may never go through? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Premier, Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 145-15(4): Mackenzie Gas Project Planning Costs

I’m not sure where the Member is getting information that the pipeline is not going to go ahead, because all of the indications that I have are that Imperial wants to build the pipeline, that aboriginal leaders want the pipeline, our government wants the pipeline, the federal government wants the pipeline, and I believe that it is going to go ahead. Having said that, we have invested a lot of money in pipeline preparedness and training people on the anticipation that this will happen. I’m still of the view it is going to happen. But, Mr. Speaker, as I said, if it doesn’t go ahead for some reason, then I think it is a sad day, because there will not be the jobs, and there will not be the revenues to our government and aboriginal governments and to people throughout the Territories that we would have if this did happen. Mr. Speaker, I want to emphasize that we are working on the information that this pipeline will happen. We are in the middle of serious negotiations, and I fully expect that it is going to proceed. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.