Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today my questions are for the Minister of Transportation. Mr. Speaker, my first question to the Minister is: what is the status of the marine resupply contract? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Minister of Transportation.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The department is presently in the process of entering into a contract with the staffing contractor to provide crew, operations of tugs to operate the tugs and the barges for this year, and we are hoping to have that in place this week. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I appreciate the response. Mr. Speaker, my second question is: when will the barging schedule be drafted and shared with the public so the communities and suppliers can start preparing?
Traditionally, NTCL publish their sailing schedule close to the operating season, in May, if I remember correctly, of each year. The government is committed to providing a firm sailing schedule prior to that date. I know the people in the Department of Public Works and Services who are taking on this work are working very hard and diligently to put this together so we can come up with a schedule that will satisfy the communities and staff so they can start their planning session. We are hoping to have something out to them by April.
That's very helpful, Mr. Speaker. My third question is: what steps is the government taking to ensure that, under the new contract, the price of petroleum products and other goods will be kept at levels that are similar to previous years?
As I had the opportunity in committee to explain some of this stuff, the department is looking at all aspects of costing out of revenues and expenses moving forward. There are a number of business opportunities that have also come forward since the purchase of these assets, and we believe that, if these come to fruition, it will help spread the cost out and keep the fuel prices down to where they are, close to the present levels, subject to the markets on the fuel in the open market.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nunakput.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the response, Mr. Speaker. More of a comment than a question, Mr. Speaker. My final question is: when will further information be available to Regular Members? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe I committed to keeping committee well-informed as we move forward, as we secure opportunities of different types of revenue of moving forward, the sailing schedule, the staffing issues and stuff, and in the coming months and weeks I am hoping to update committee on where we are at with these new assets.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake.
