Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is also for the Premier of the Northwest Territories in regard to my Member’s statement that I did earlier today on the gas shortage that is happening in Inuvik and the urgency on that matter.
My first question is: Can the Minister provide me with an update on what the government has done to date since knowing of this urgent matter, whether it was from the 16th Assembly or even ongoing talks? What has the government committed to and done since knowing of this urgent matter? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Moses. The honourable Premier, Minister McLeod.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have been meeting and getting briefings as soon as we heard of this issue. We met last week with the mayor of Inuvik. He updated us on the issue. We had a Ministerial Energy Coordinating Committee meeting where we were briefed by the regional director and the Power Corporation so that we are aware of the magnitude of the problem.
We understand that we have to move fast. We have to make some decisions early in 2012, but we are still in an information gathering stage. We have to do due diligence to make sure and confirm what the problem really is. We also have some legal areas where we have contracts for the provision of natural gas for generation of power. We recognize that if we agree with the plan that is put forward, the life of the gas will extend by double, to about three and a half years. Also we are aware of some discussions with regard to Parsons Lake. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I would like to ask the Premier, after all of his briefings and all of his information sessions, will the Premier commit to supporting the residents and the businesses of Inuvik by participating in a joint effort to create an action plan to find a solution for a long-term gas supply. After the briefings and the information sessions, will he commit to that development of an action plan?
Yes. As a government we are already engaged. We have put together a team of deputies to examine options, to look at what the possibilities are. We will be putting forward a decision paper for Cabinet probably very early in the new year.
Mr. Speaker, just one final question for the Premier. Once the discussion paper is finalized, will that information be available for all Members of the Legislative Assembly?
I expect that as for our normal course of doing business we would brief committees. As well, I should point out that as we speak the Northwest Territories Power Corporation is taking steps so that we can deal with any emergency situations if they occur between now and…the decisions that we make that are required on a longer term.
Thank you, Minister McLeod. The honourable Member for Hay River North, Mr. Bouchard.
