Debates of February 24, 2016 (day 5)

Date
February
24
2016
Session
18th Assembly, 2nd Session
Day
5
Members Present
Hon. Glen Abernethy, Mr. Beaulieu, Mr. Blake, Hon. Caroline Cochrane, Ms. Green, Hon. Jackson Lafferty, Hon. Bob McLeod, Hon. Robert McLeod, Mr. McNeely, Hon. Alfred Moses, Mr. Nadli, Mr. Nakimayak, Mr. O’Reilly, Hon. Wally Schumann, Hon. Louis Sebert, Mr. Simpson, Mr. Testart, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Vanthuyne
Topics
Statements

Question 54-18(2): Mackenzie Valley Fibre Link Project

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to address my issue to the Minister of Finance on the project for the Mackenzie Valley Fibre Link Project. The question I have is this Mackenzie Valley Fire Project is a P3 project of this government scheduled for completion this coming June 2016 during the 2013-14 procurement process, during that fiscal year. As you know, the completions during that period was slated for June 2016, which is only four months away and we're entering into the closure of the winter season, and my question to the Minister is: Are were going to be completed as per the procurement schedule of June 2016?

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Masi. Minister of Finance.

We anticipate being completed this summer. The original project was supposed to be lights on during 2016, and that is still the plan. Of the approximate 1,200-kilometre volume, 733 kilometres have been completed up to the end of the 2015 building season, so we still have plenty of time to have the remaining line laid before June 2016.

My second question is: knowing the terrain and geography north of Fort Good Hope, it's very remote, it's only accessible by remote equipment including sleigh camps, so the logistics and scheduling is very challenging, and I'm wondering, in my question, if that section between Tsiigehtchic and Fort Good Hope is going to be completed as well?

As I said before, we anticipate being completed during the 2016 building season and they have had some challenges on the terrain, but I think that the contractors are more than equipped to deal with it. If there are any foreseen circumstances or if there is some delay of any kind, then I will be sure to let the Members of this Assembly know.

I await that information if it does come, and my next question, the final question, is: Can we receive a current progress briefing on that particular project?

I would be pleased to provide committee with a briefing, or I can compile some information as far as a briefing note goes, and submit that to committee and then they can determine whether they want to have a briefing or not.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Oral questions. Member for Mackenzie Delta.