Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I made a Member's statement on Taltson Dam, but I am not exactly sure where to direct my questions, either Infrastructure, ITI, or the Power Corporation. I will ask the question and maybe the government can provide me a response.
Discussion has started on the expansion of the Taltson Dam again, and there is a plan, I believe, to do something with the dam. I am wondering if any of the discussions have included the Indigenous people of Fort Resolution and Lutselk'e at this time? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Who would like to take on the question? The Honourable Premier.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to direct the question to the Minister of Infrastructure. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Minister of Infrastructure.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I have stated before in this House, the Taltson project was one of our pan-Canadian asks around the Climate Change Strategic Framework. This is an important project, we believe, but it is also in the very early stages. I think, once we get a little more information from the federal government, if they are supportive of this project going forward, at that time we will sit down with Indigenous governments and figure out their involvement going forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I would like to ask the Minister if he is prepared with his staff, or the appropriate staff, even if he doesn't attend himself, to meet in Fort Resolution and in Lutselk'e to advise the people of what the plan is? Whether the federal government has approved it or not, there is some movement, and it would be nice if the people were there from the beginning, not like what happened the last time. I would like to ask the Minister if he is prepared to send staff into those communities to talk about the Taltson Dam expansion?
As I have stated, this is a very important project to the Government of the Northwest Territories and residents going forward, and I believe, based on what the Member has just asked me, I would be prepared to send our staff in there and have an early conversation, not just with the Fort Resolution community, but with both Indigenous governments that represent everyone in the community.
That is good news. I am pleased to hear that. I would like to ask the Minister if the government would possibly do a retrospective environmental assessment on what had occurred prior to the Taltson Dam?
I would have to have a discussion with my department and get back to the Member on that.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister if there is any plan from the GNWT to spend any money on the Taltson Dam expansion this year? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I can get those details for the Member, but I believe, through our infrastructure bilaterals that we signed with Minister Sohi, one of the line items there is to have a look at some of the preconstruction work that would need to be completed for the Taltson project. There is certainly some money there that we are looking at spending on predevelopment work. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake.
