Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Infrastructure Minister since I did not get a fourth yes and clarity. Considering that the Taltson expansion is on traditional territory of the Salt River First Nation and the Fort Smith Metis Nation, doesn't it make sense that the superintendent of NTPC, which it always was, that the office should be in Fort Smith for the South Slave and not Fort Simpson? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Thebacha. Minister of Infrastructure.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just to clarify, as I am looking at my colleague from the area, the superintendent is not, in fact, located in Fort Simpson. However, I am going to start again from the last round, where we talked about the Taltson expansion project. It is currently in the business phase. It is led by the Department of Finance. However, we are working together. This government has numerous times said that we will all work together as departments. Again, I relayed this to the community when in Fort Smith last week, once we proceed through the business case, development phase, we will look at and consider the impacts the Taltson will have on staffing for the region. This is a big, major project, and I know where the Member is coming from in terms of having the opportunity to be able to look at the staffing needs at that time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Would the Minister reconsider having a central office with a superintendent in the Fort Smith office, considering that the Taltson River dam is located within close vicinity to the community of Fort Smith?
Just to be honest here, we can't be duplicating services. Otherwise, we may have to increase rates for customers. That is what it comes down to. However, looking at expanding the projects, we would be able to look at whether we need the capacity, should the expansion project go through. The answer right now is "no." We will look at a business case. We will assess it then and then determine. Most likely, it will be a yes eventually, but right now, we just need to be able to look at the project.
Given the history of the Fort Smith office, just in the last year and a half, we lost the superintendent, and it hasn't been replaced. Would the Minister consider the Indigenous file when considering the activity in the future for the Taltson office in Fort Smith?
I believe I have said that we will look at it. It is not a yes right now, but it is something that we will look at going forward for some of the staffing positions in the community.
Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary. Member for Thebacha.
Mr. Speaker, logical decisions must prevail when considering large infrastructure projects like the Taltson dam expansion. Would the Minister agree? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The Taltson expansion project is a major expansion. I had the opportunity to be able to go into the community with the Member, tour the facility, have a look at what a big scope of work it will be for this project, and just speaking to some of the leadership in the communities in terms of hearing some concerns and what a major project this will be for the community, but not only that, for the Northwest Territories. You look at our Energy Strategy. To be able to achieve some of our goals and our targets, we will be looking at the Taltson project as one of the ways to do this. At that time, we will be able to work with the community and the Member to look at some of the capacity and staffing needs. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
