Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Dehk'e, or Frank Channel Bridge, is critical infrastructure linking Yellowknife and Behchoko. In October 2020, the replacement Dehk'e Bridge was included in the 20212022 capital estimates with a bridge to be completed no later than March 31st, 2024. In October 2021, the replacement Dehk'e Bridge was included in the 2022 and 2023 to be completed no later than March 31st, 2026. In October 2022, the replacement Dehk'e Bridge was included in the 2023 and 2024 to be completed no later than March 31st, 2027.
In other words, this critical infrastructure project has been delayed in every capital budget projection. Can we place any confidence in the government's projections? By the government's own admission, the project has been delayed by three years. Hopefully, there will be no critical failure of the bridge resulting from this delayed rebuild.
The Government of the Northwest Territories started making plans to replace the bridge in 2018. If the current trend of delays continues, the bridge will have taken ten years from the start of its planning to its completion. Mr. Speaker, this is way too long.
In February of this year, I emphasized that this project needs to be kept on track. It is clear I need to keep the pressure on. I recognize that when a project is significantly delayed, inflation and market increases impact the cost. The Dehk'e Bridge projection is no exception.
In March of this year, the federal government pledged another $15 million and the GNWT another $5 million to the project. The federal government, again, comes to the rescue of the GNWT. Does the department accept this failure to manage this critical infrastructure project?
Luckily, the feds are throwing in more money to salvage the situation. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
Mr. Speaker, it is time to fasttrack the project to prevent additional budget increases and further delays to the completion of Dehk'e Bridge. Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Minister of Infrastructure. Thank you.
Thank you, Member for Monfwi. Members' statements. Member for Frame Lake.
