Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier I spoke of the possibility of the possibility of a deep sea port in Nunakput, and my questions are for the Minister of Infrastructure. Mr. Speaker, my first question is: has the Minister reviewed the base for the Beaufort report? I would like to know what is being done with this information at this point. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Minister of Infrastructure.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Department of Infrastructure has reviewed the report in detail. The information that is in that report builds on past studies conducted by the department to investigate the potential of a deep sea port in Tuktoyaktuk, and that work is ongoing. The Tuktoyaktuk Harbour has long been a supply base for the Beaufort Sea, as many of us know. The future of opportunities is very promising going forward now with the MTS up and running. The study has supported marine planning undertaken by the Department of Health and formed a list of potential marine infrastructure projects that could be pursued possibly under the allocation of the money we are going to get from the federal Oceans Protection Plan. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I appreciate the response. It is good to see that things look promising. I know on the other side of the Northwest Passage they are making plans to start construction of a deep sea port. It would be good to have something on the western side of the Northwest Passage.
Mr. Speaker, my second question to the Minister is: has any further consultation or collaboration taken place with the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation about the viability of a deep sea port in the Beaufort?
Since the publication of the report, the Department of Infrastructure has continued to gather information and research them from a variety of sources on the potential of a port and service centre in Tuktoyaktuk. We will continue to do that, incorporating this into our marine planning work as we move forward.
The harbour, like I said, is well-suited. There is a lot of supporting infrastructure that has been left there from the old oil boom days with the Dome Petroleum and the Gulf Resource properties that lie there. There are leftover docks, camp facilities, the existing fuel storage that is there; so there is a lot of potential there. We will continue to look at all these things moving forward, and the Government of Northwest Territories remains open to discussing the feasibility and the needs of marine improvements in the Community of Tuktoyaktuk, along with the IRC and other stakeholders as required, moving forward.
I appreciate the response. It is good to see some progress on this. At least looking forward we can ride on the momentum of the completion of the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway to advocate for some deep sea services in the Beaufort region, more particularly in Tuktoyaktuk and, as well, some possible dumping sites and docking services in communities like Ulukhaktok, Paulatuk, and Sachs Harbour.
Mr. Speaker, my final question to the Minister is: what will it take to secure a political commitment for this project, and will Cabinet be looking at the viability of doing this as a P3 project?
The Department of Infrastructure has identified the marine service centre for the community of Tuktoyaktuk that builds upon existing harbour infrastructure, as I have said, and the community. In its list of priorities, marine infrastructure could be funded under the Oceans Protection Plan, which I have mentioned. At this time, we continue to engage with the federal officials on funding opportunities and the criteria under this plan, as these details have not all been worked out yet.
As we know, there is growing interest in the Northwest Passage; it is anticipated to increase traffic. We will have to put more federal interest in developing a marine infrastructure, possibly in Tuktoyaktuk, along with other key marine developments that we have been working on with the department and discussing going back and forth. We will continue to do that. Along with the new Tuktoyaktuk to Inuvik Highway, which is opening this year, this will open opportunities, I believe, for the community of Tuktoyaktuk on this.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Deh Cho.
