Debates of October 18, 2005 (day 12)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are some loud rumours out there that say Imperial Oil is seriously considering pulling out of the oil and gas project. The rumour mill says that, despite the potential $500 million that the federal government has put on the table, Imperial still contends that the demands from the access and benefit agreement negotiations are still too high. Imperial Oil has not budged an inch, and they are not prepared to offer any more to the claimant groups, from what I have heard. If something is not done soon, in my opinion, the current plans to establish a pipeline in the NWT will be in serious jeopardy, and put into a holding pattern for the next 30 years.

My concern is that this Government of the Northwest Territories has invested serious dollars into preparing for the pipeline. Almost every department has created at least one position in pipeline readiness and some of that in several positions. At last count, in the March budget, there were approximately 30 positions across the Territories devoted entirely or partially to the pipeline. This government has invested considerable people hours from the existing staff to investing heavily in the $1 million office in Hay River. MACA has doled out over $1 million of funding to communities to help deal with expected impacts of the pipeline, not to mention the money that has gone towards negotiations and pipeline agreements.

If this pipeline comes, Mr. Speaker, all of this money will have been considered well invested. If this pipeline does not come, this money will have gone down the drain. This government has already stated that without the pipeline, we will find ourselves in a serious financial situation.

So, Mr. Speaker, in closing, I am very concerned what will happen to the significant investment in establishing numerous positions and spending a lot of money on getting ready for a pipeline that is simply just a pipe dream. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause