Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, the NWT, and more so the Arctic, can be a harsh environment to work in. I personally know this as I spent ten years working in Tuk offshore in the Beaufort Sea and on ice platforms in the High Arctic. We were always required to adapt to evolving situations and have a plan B, something MTS does not seem to understand.
Madam Speaker, can the Minister of Infrastructure tell me what led to the delays in community resupply for those communities serviced by MTS?
Thank you. Minister for Infrastructure.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. So 2022 has been like no other year in the operations of MTS. The factors that have impacted MTS operations this past year were complex and interconnected. In addition to the regular risks that we inherit in this marine industry, MTS and the partners have faced significant labour shortages. MTS and the partners have faced shortages, supply chain delays, delays caused by floods both in Inuvik and in Hay River, and delays for the placement of our buoys.
Another unexpected occurrence happened when our fuel hoses were vandalized resulting in a six- to seven-day delay for our shipping season. I'm not going to speak to this further, Madam Speaker, because it's currently under investigation by the RCMP.
However, a postseason evaluation will be completed in the coming months but for now our focus at MTS and Department of Infrastructure is to get that fuel into Sachs Harbour. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, can the Minister tell me how many communities experienced resupply delays and will the Minister commit to providing that information in writing as well? Thank you.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, the factors that contributed to cancelling barge delivery in Sachs Harbour also caused delays in other communities and to clients, including some petroleum products that were destined for Inuvik are currently in Tuktoyaktuk. This fuel will be delivered by truck to Inuvik. MTS was also unable to complete shipment of material to the Sabina mine site. Arrangements are being made for delivery for that next year. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, can the Minister tell me how many and which vessels were providing resupply to the Arctic and coastal communities and which ones were servicing contracts outside community supply? Thank you.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, through MTS we have five tug boats that were activated this season. There was one fully dedicated to the ISR resupply, two were assigned support roles for the ISR resupply. One was assigned to a dual role between essential resupply and commercial lake/river activities. And the fifth one, Madam Speaker, was dedicated to commercial customers. Those were the five that are out there. Thank you.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, will the Minister commit to providing me, in writing, with a list of all MTS marine vessels working this past sailing season, along with the daily schedule of each vessel position as provided through the federal Vessel Traffic Management Information System? I would ask the information include the period from August 1st, 2022, to October 31st, 2022. Thank you.
Madam Speaker, you know, as part of our evaluation after the sailing season, this is something that we put work into. And I would be prepared to put this in writing for the Member. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Thank you. Oral questions. Member for Nunakput.
