Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In relation to my statement on Monday and throughout most of this week about economic recovery in the NWT, I would once again like to discuss the importance of the Taltson Hydro Expansion.
Mr. Speaker, all major infrastructure projects both currently underway, along with those in the future which I spoke about this week, are all interrelated with this hydro expansion. The Minister of Finance even said so herself the other day during question period. She said that to attract greater economic opportunities and investments into the Northwest Territories, our territory will need greater access to clean and affordable energy.
Well, that is exactly what this project will bring. We're not reinventing the wheel with this here. I mean the Talston Dam already exists. All we need to do is to add to it its increase in energy output.
Mr. Speaker, the construction of the Taltson Expansion would address at least two out of the 22 priorities of the 19th Assembly. The priorities include:
Reduce the cost of power and increase the use the alternative and renewable energy; and
Make strategic infrastructure investments that connect communities, expand the economy, or reduce the cost of living, including the Mackenzie Valley Highway, the Slave Geological Corridor, and the Taltson Hydro Project.
Mr. Speaker, it is baffling that some Members of this House who are proponents of renewable energy are concurrently against this project's advancement and completion. We know that hydro power is a renewable energy as there are no greenhouse gas emissions that are emitted with this form of energy. We also know that our modern industrial economy is ever changing. We are increasingly becoming a more digital and informationbased and technologydriven global economy.
For these reasons we need to better our economy for the future, and I'm convinced that the projects like the Taltson Hydro Expansion will be central in strengthening the NWT economy for the future generations. Mr. Speaker, I speak unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
Unanimous consent granted
Mr. Speaker, I have spoken several times about the importance of this project. I even visited the Taltson Hydro worksite last year with the Minister of Infrastructure. This expansion project is a nobrainer and will help bring greater economic growth to the NWT by the way of cheaper electricity and renewable energy. This project will also help business in the NWT to be more feasible and cost friendly.
Mr. Speaker, despite most of our attention being given to the COVID19 pandemic over the last two years, I certainly hope that we have not fallen behind or given up pursuing the Taltson Expansion. There's a positive business case for this project, and I'm willing to see it advance and supported by the government wholeheartedly. I will have questions for the Minister of ITI later today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Thebacha. Members' statements. Member for Great Slave.
