Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Government of the Northwest Territories released a Biomass Strategy in 2010. It’s time to put it into action.
Fort Providence is the ideal location for a biomass-based business. It is surrounded by forests, on the Mackenzie River, and at the junction of Highways No. 1 and No. 3, only distances from Yellowknife and Hay River where more and more homes and businesses are using wood pellets. Biomass products produced in Fort Providence could be shipped by barge to communities along the Mackenzie River.
Like most Northwest Territories communities, many people in Fort Providence already heat their homes with wood. The biomass industry would complement the traditional economy, take advantage of people’s existing land skills, and offer opportunities for employment.
[Translation] Recently the Environment Minister visited Fort Providence and he talked to people about biomass, from the meeting, in the future how are we going to be able to heat our homes using wood from around the area. In regard to that, they talked about woodchips and how they can work with the people in Fort Providence to possibly come out with a biomass production project. I feel that if there are further meetings in regard to this, it would be helpful. [Translation ends]
Deh Cho region is important to the Northwest Territories Biomass Strategy. There’s a pellet mill at Checkpoint in Jean Marie River which once operated a saw mill. We need to find ways to enhance the project at Checkpoint and get the sawmill back into production. Kakisa, Enterprise and the Hay River Reserve are also interested in opportunities for biomass. We can use this motivation to build our economy on sustainable resources.
The Deh Cho is a region of great potential. Fort Providence could be the biomass capital of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Nadli. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.
