Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier I had some questions with regard to the Giant Mine Remediation Project, specifically as it relates to some of the power demands associated with that project. My questions are for the Minister responsible for the Power Corporation. Maybe what I would like to do is start by asking him, although we know from the Minister of ENR that the freezing of the arsenic chambers is going to take significantly less power demands, certainly a $1-billion project over 15 years is going to require a significant amount of power on various levels. I would just like to simply start by asking the Minister: does he feel that, given the current infrastructure, we can meet the demands of the Giant Mine Remediation Project? In other words, will we be using current infrastructure to meet that demand, or is there some alternative energy sources that we can consider to meet that demand? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Minister responsible for NWT Power Corporation.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Certainly, any new major project would likely put a strain on the current system, whether that is a new mine or an old mine. I don't have any new details as to the amount of power that might be required. A major increase in the amount of power used in the system would likely require some changes in the manner in which we deliver power. It may involve the building of additional plants or even dams. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I appreciate the reply from the Minister. Well then, that is an interesting point because we have heard, actually, from TerraX Minerals in the past that they have shared concerns that energy demand is going to be their biggest challenge. I wonder: can the Minister maybe share with us, has he had conversations with TerraX and does he understand some of the challenges that they are expressing as it relates to having enough power? Are we going to be able to help them meet those demands if, in fact, they go forward with the full-fledged mine?
I have not had direct contact with TerraX, although I did have the opportunity to attend a presentation that they gave in Yellowknife a year or two ago. I think it is a little uncertain at this stage the amount of power that they will require. Certainly, we would like to assist them. It may be necessary to increase our capacity.
I would certainly express, at least, my opinion and I think maybe the opinion of most here that it would be an opportunity to talk with representatives from TerraX to certainly talk about the challenges they are going to face, because I would see that as being a challenge also on the power infrastructure that serves the City of Yellowknife. If we are considering that we are going to use the same infrastructure to supply power to the city that would supply to a mine, then there is certainly good reason to want to talk with them and see, in fact, what their demands are going to be. I think it is fair to say that the residents of Yellowknife would like to see a --
Member, what is your line of question?
I guess the question is on behalf of residents of Yellowknife. Is there a way in which we can get a mine like TerraX on with the Power Corporation so that it can help drive down the costs for everybody?
There are many options in these types of situations dealing with this mine or other possible mines, including liquefied natural gas. I am informed by my colleague from ITI that this department has, in fact, been in touch with TerraX.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife North.
I guess I will ask a simple question, Mr. Speaker, which would be: what would be the concern, if any, from this government or position from this government or the Power Corporation if TerraX was able to find a way in which to self-sustain their own power and do it on their own? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I am not entirely sure if I understand the question. If TerraX proceeded on its own and had its own power plant, I suppose that would be one thing. On the other hand, the development of this mine or any other mine in this area may provide opportunities to the Power Corporation. Thank you.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre.
