Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to wish all the mother’s a belated happy Mother’s Day.
I heard on the radio about the Norman Wells issue and I want to talk about it. So I wrote about it and what I wrote is saying the well is running dry and now the pipe is leaking. The wells in Norman Wells are running out of gas. There will be no more gas for the town of Norman Wells. Now we know the pipeline is broken. What more could happen?
Imperial Oil will be shutting off its gas pumps by 2013 for the residents of Norman Wells and the gas line will be shut down for businesses by 2014. Here is what we know so far:
Imperial Oil, the largest oil and gas producer in Western Canada, has gone dry, unless there’s another significant discovery or we build the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline today.
People are faced with the enormous task of changing over to a new heating source. The people have limited choices: to convert to propane or diesel. A study was done and propane came out as the best solution. The town has approached the GNWT and requested assistance from the GNWT to invest and to involve in the gas committee. The town has received past financial and technical assistance and also received support from Imperial Oil in purchasing electric stoves for the residents in Norman Wells. As we speak, these stoves are being installed in the houses.
The GNWT undertook a study some years ago on their own facilities and started the conversion process with the Department of Transportation. Several businesses have already changed over to propane and others will require it soon.
I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
Who would have thought in 1921, with millions or billions of barrels of oil flowing out of Norman Wells, this well would dry? People are left holding the bag, or should I say holding an empty jerry can, to fend for themselves. We need to find a workable solution with the people of Norman Wells.
Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.
