Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. As I mentioned in my statement yesterday, they were getting into the season of winter road closure and looking forward to the barging season. Our session will start at the end of May and, just weeks prior to that or after that, we’ll get into the sailing season. My question is to the Minister of Public Works on the sailing and preparation steps here for the barging season: what sailing schedules, if any, have been done so far for the Sahtu communities? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Minister of Public Works and Services.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For Members of this House and those listening, if you look on the Public Works website, there is a tentative sailing season already posted. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
That would mean that the operational schedule has taken into account and is monitoring the water levels, in particular, between Norman Wells and Fort Good Hope? It could be challenging with the two sets of rapids in that area, and the fuel quantum going to Fort Good Hope and Tulita. Is that part of the first sailing season in June?
We cannot control the levels of the river. We are hoping that this year has a good sailing season. As far as what deliveries are going to be scheduled out initially for fuel delivery to the Members' ridings, I would have to get that information and get back to him.
Seeing that the public owns these assets here, are there any additional benefits such as subsidized freight rates that the customers could realize by this government owning the property, subsidy benefits?
We have no plans to have subsidized freight rates. I believe that the purchase of us buying these assets has helped lock down uncertainty that would have been brought to this industry and supplies to the northern regions of the Northwest Territories. I cannot tell you exactly what the rates are, but I believe, I think, we are following the rates from the previous sailing season.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Sahtu.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My last question is: if there is going to be any reductions in our operating from the previous owner in the costs of doing so, and if there is room for reduced benefits seeing and the rate price per freight, would that information be provided to me, please? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As we move forward, how we are going to operate the marine division, we will be definitely updating committee on revenues versus expenses, and we will have a look at all that stuff moving forward.
