Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Further to my Member’s statement today, I have questions I'd like to direct at the Minister of Transportation regarding the dredging of the port of Hay River. Given the importance of safe marine operating conditions to the physical well-being of those using the waterways and the economic well-being of the industries that depend on those waterways what, if any, responsibility does the GNWT have in regards to ensuring safe marine operating conditions?
Masi. Minister of Transportation.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Government of Canada has legislative and regulatory authority and responsibility for marine operations and conditions. The Government of Canada is also the federal regulator responsible for safe marine operation and conditions on navigable NWT waterways, including the Great Slave Lake, the Mackenzie and Liard Rivers, and the port of Hay River. The Department of Transportation’s advocacy regarding marine issues with federal departments, including the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard, including safe operating conditions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Given that during that the last Assembly, the then Minister of Transportation recognized the importance of a viable harbour in Hay River to the economic well-being of the community, the region, and the territory, has the government analyzed the potential economic benefits of taking concrete action in regards to dredging?
The economic importance of the Hay River harbour to private industry, commercial fishing industry, tourism, and recreational users in the public sector, the Canadian Coast Guard and the National Defence marine supply operations will have an impact on the cost of living. Twelve communities depend on marine resupply for delivery of essential cargo; four communities depend exclusively on marine and air resupply. Fifteen per cent reduction in maximum barge loads last summer for Hay River; a significant infill and the siltation are key locations in the Hay River harbour and East Channel impacts on NTL's commercial fishing vessels and other vessels.
Because the GNWT does undertake the obligation to encourage the federal government to dredge, has there been any progress on this issue during your meetings with the new federal Minister or with the Prime Minister?
I recently met with Minister Tootoo, the federal Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, in January in Ottawa. We discussed the NWT marine issues, including dredging of the Hay River harbour. We also followed up with Minister Tootoo on a formal request for reinstatement of the federal Arctic marine resupply sites and the management program within the NWT, with emphasis on critical need for proper maintenance of the 14 federally owned and operated community marine facilities in the NWT, including the Hay River harbour. Proper maintenance is essential to safe and timely cost-effective marine resupply in NWT communities and industry.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Hay River North.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's good to hear that we're engaging the appropriate federal Ministers on this topic. Finally, in addition to encouraging the federal government to dredge the areas in question, would this government be willing to provide any assistance to the federal government such as planning, logistical support, or possibly committing a small amount of resources towards it if such assistance was required to initiate the project? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The fiscal and legal responsibility to ensure safe marine operation conditions in the Northwest Territories and across Canada is a federal responsibility. This includes dredging of the Hay River harbour to ensure safe operating conditions for all vessels with sufficient water depths to ensure safe and unobstructed passage. The Department of Transportation continues to press the federal government to maintain marine facilities in NWT. The Department of Transportation is also finalizing plans for a workshop in Hay River in mid-April with the focus on the Hay River harbour and dredging. Key stakeholders have been notified. The anticipated workshop will result in an effective dredging plan for Hay River harbour, and marine stakeholders are very interested. I expect a positive result for the Hay River harbour and the town of Hay River.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake.
