The activities in the Sahtu could greatly improve the economic base in the Northwest Territories. If they are right, the geologists, the ones I talked about, are right on the amount of reserves that are in the Sahtu, and the exploratory companies now want to go into developing it further and go into production. This is what I’m looking forward to the Minister’s responses to the impacts that could support the Sahtu infrastructure. Right now, because we don’t see too much, we are seeing, what, two, three, $300 million being spent in the Sahtu? We’re talking billions here. That’s quite wild right now because of just what we think could be there.
I’m asking for the Minister’s analysis or projection in the infrastructure that could happen up in the Sahtu. Are we ready for it? Are we ready to support what possibly could be happening in that region in the next two or three years in regard to the infrastructure? We could be the driving force of the economy in the Northwest Territories. I would be so happy, that in the Sahtu, if we go through our procedure properly and we handle it properly, we wouldn’t need so much support from the GNWT. We could be in that position if we play our cards right. The Sahtu could actually be in a position where it could not need the GNWT as much as we need them right now today, but we don’t know. That’s why I want to ask the Minister in regard to the marine. We may not have seen much right now, as I said. When will the Minister have an analysis of the infrastructure plan or strategy to present to committee here in regard to the potential impacts that could happen in the Sahtu in regard to transportation?
Mr. Chair, in the short term I believe we are ready. In the long term, and that is when we look at the development, commercialization, production perhaps going on in the Sahtu, that we are going to be looking at things like the Mackenzie Valley Highway, fibre optic link, the Mackenzie Gas Project, the possibility of another oil pipeline south of Norman Wells. These are all things that are going to be a part of the equation when it comes to the development in the Sahtu.
Certainly, we need to find more money. The Department of Transportation is not alone. When I say that, I was recently at the federal Ministers’ meetings on transportation where the federal Minister has said a new program is in the works. Hopefully, we will see a new infrastructure program in this country that the Northwest Territories can take advantage of so that we can address the infrastructure needs across the territory. It is something that we have taken advantage of in the past through other programs like the Building Canada Plan. Those have gotten things done here in the Northwest Territories.
We need another infrastructure plan, in partnership with the federal government, that is going to allow us to maximize the capital dollars we have here in this territory to take advantage of opportunities. The Sahtu is a perfect example of these opportunities. We have to take advantage of those, Mr. Chair. Thank you.
Mr. Chair, can the Minister work on this with Cabinet to deem the Sahtu a special economic zone where the federal government then can get some results and dollars into the region? Can he do that?
Mr. Chair, I just wanted to mention, too, we have to continue to work on the Economic Opportunities Strategy the government is putting forward. We also have the Mineral Development Strategy. Those two strategies will feed directly into an update on our transportation strategy.
I think, again, that the Sahtu is in a position right now to be a focus of our attention, because the economic potential of that region certainly has the possibility of transforming the economy of the Northwest Territories virtually overnight. We need to be watching what is happening there. We have to get federal dollars into that region. That is something that the government has to continue to work on. We will continue to work on getting more federal dollars into the Northwest Territories so that we can build the infrastructure we need here in the Northwest Territories. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Next on my list I have Mr. Blake.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just under the marine, I would like to thank the Minister for adding to the expansion of the shop on the Hay River ferry camp, and also stress the need for replacing the ferry at the Mackenzie River.
The bridge is open this coming fall here. It has been brought to my attention that this ferry would better be suited in the Mackenzie River at Tsiigehtchic. This would actually bring down the cost, I believe, to residents in Inuvik, especially in the crisis we are at right now with the fuel situation. I strongly believe that this would bring the cost of living down up in the Beaufort-Delta region. I just wanted to stress that. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Blake. Minister Ramsay.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just to clarify – and I thank the Member for his question – was it to replace the Louis Cardinal? Was that the question?
Okay, thank you. Maybe I’ll get you to just get that on record and then I’ll come back, Mr. Chair.
Yes, it was to replace the Louis Cardinal with the ferry that’s in Fort Providence at the moment. Thank you.
We don’t have plans for the Merv Hardie once it comes out of the river at Fort Providence. With the Louis Cardinal we just put new engines into the Louis Cardinal three years ago. We’re working on plans to extend the ice roads in the Beaufort-Delta near the Member’s communities and really the big point is, and I have to say, the Merv Hardie does cost more to operate. So what we intend to do is mothball it. It will be there if we need it. We don’t have any intentions on selling it or disposing of it in any other way. We’re going to have it as a backup, and as I mentioned in response to Member Yakeleya, there could be a use for that ferry at some point in time here in the territory and we’re not going to rush to dispose it. It will be here and we’ll use it as needed. Thank you.
Thank you. I do realize that it does cost more to operate the Merv Hardie because it actually runs longer than the Louis Cardinal does. So I’m not sure if the Minister is aware of that. Two hours every day over the duration of the summer adds up. I strongly believe that that’s the reason that it costs more to operate. Also, that ferry is open a lot longer than the Louis Cardinal. I know we are getting close to the end of October and there is no ice on the river yet, on the Mackenzie. The main thing is to keep the cost of living down for the Mackenzie Delta, and I strongly believe that having the Merv Hardie there would do that. Thank you.
Again, I thank the Member for his concerns and I believe it’s the hourly operating costs are more on the Merv Hardie. I don’t have the specifics on exactly in comparison to the Louis Cardinal, but I’d be more than happy to get the department to put together a cost comparison on both vessels and get that to the Member, and we can have a discussion after the Member has a look at the numbers. Thank you.
Thank you. No further questions at this time.
Thank you, Mr. Blake. Members, 9-7. Mr. Bromley.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I wonder if I can just get an explanation of the Johnny Berens’ generators. What’s that all about? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Minister Ramsay.
Thanks. I’ll just get Mr. Neudorf to explain that. Thank you.
Thank you, Minister Ramsay. Mr. Neudorf.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. On board this vessel we have two generators that are in the engine room and they provide the electrical power required to operate the boat. The generators are due for a lifecycle replacement and this project proposes to replace those generators on the vessel. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Neudorf. Mr. Bromley.
Thanks for that explanation. I imagine those would be fairly old. I wonder how frequently they’re replaced and I suspect there are a lot more efficient generators out there now. Do we have any information handy on the efficiency of the new generators compared to the old? Thank you.
Thank you. I don’t know exactly how old the existing generators are on the boat, but they are due for a replacement. They are very important, obviously, that they are maintained in a good state of repair so that the vessel can operate as it’s required to. In terms of one of the additional drivers or additional benefits for replacing the generators is that they will be much more efficient, so less fuel consumed and less emissions produced as a result of the new generators. We are looking forward to having that benefit from this project. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Mr. Neudorf. Mr. Bromley…(inaudible)…
Agreed.
Transportation, activity summary, marine, infrastructure investment summary, total infrastructure investment summary, $450,000. Agreed?
Agreed.
Mr. Menicoche.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that we report progress.
---Carried
I will now rise and report progress. I would like to thank Mr. Neudorf for joining us here today and Minister Ramsay. If I can get the Sergeant-at-Arms to escort the witnesses out of the Chamber, thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Your committee has been considering Tabled Document 64-17(3), Northwest Territories Capital Estimates 2013-2014, and would like to report progress. Mr. Speaker, I move that the report of Committee of the Whole be concurred with. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. Do we have a seconder to the motion? Mr. Blake.
---Carried
Orders of the day for Wednesday, October 24, 2012, at 1:30 p.m.:
Prayer
Ministers’ Statements
Members’ Statements
Returns to Oral Questions
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Acknowledgements
Oral Questions
Written Questions
Returns to Written Questions
Replies to Opening Address
Petitions
Reports of Standing and Special Committees
Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills
Tabling of Documents
Notices of Motion
Notices of Motion for First Reading of Bills
Motions
First Reading of Bills
Second Reading of Bills
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Tabled Document 64-17(3), NWT Capital Estimates 2013-2014
Bill 2, Miscellaneous Statute Law Amendment Act, 2012
Bill 8, An Act to Amend the Securities Act
Report of Committee of the Whole
Third Reading of Bills
Orders of the Day
Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Accordingly, this House stands adjourned until Wednesday, October 24, 2012, at 1:30 p.m.
---ADJOURNMENT
The House adjourned at 5:19 p.m.
