Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Infrastructure.
Work has been stopped or put on hold on a project that has major implication for local employment and national security. Is the Minister aware of the pressing timeframe issue regarding the next phase of work and that if a one cubic meter trench is not completed before this spring's thaw, the project will be delayed for at least one year, jeopardizing the project's timeline and national security related to Arctic sovereignty; yes or no?
Thank you, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes. Minister responsible for Infrastructure.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So the Minister's department are knowingly causing a delay to a project of major national security importance. Minister, what has the government done to avoid this delay and to move this work forward on its intended timeline in the interests of national security and to assist with postpandemic economic recovery of our local businesses? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the senior officials from Infrastructure, as well as the contractor, and National Defence, are meeting this afternoon to have that discussion. And may I further add that as the Premier's statement earlier mentioned that, you know, she's having discussions with the briefing officials at the highest level of military/security/intelligence branches of the federal government and also met with Minister Anand on the Minister of National Defence, and Minister Vandal as well. Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. You know, it's it's really hard to have some positive with this this Minister right now because before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, you know, this wasn't even at the surface. This delay has been going on. This is not anything new. And we're only looking at it now because we've been raising the issue. You know, I I Mr. Speaker, with everyone looking at Arctic security, will the Minister use her power to direct her department to stop holding up this important phase to get the contractors on it ASAP and not to delay this project by a year? It's been delayed long enough. Our local businesses need to get to work on this project.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned there's a meeting that's currently underway as we speak at the deputy minister level, and we'll be providing an update on the joint venture once we have concurred on a way forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.
My final supplementary is this: Minister, you know, with the amount of this phase that's been allocated, it's a small amount that needs to be done before the thaw. You know, I know it's cold today but it can change next week. So what I'm asking is this Minister to direct her staff to release that $8 million to get going on this phase that we won't lose a year. The rest of the project, the you know, after the meeting today but will she commit to that today?
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as the Member mentioned, the project came in significantly over budget; more than what the GNWT estimates and more than a third party estimate that used information that was collected by regional contractors. The you know, it's I understand where the Member's coming from. I mean, Inuvik is my community as well and this is something that, you know, we push at the Premier's level, to have that discussion with National Defence so we don't lose the time. So I'm hoping for a favourable outcome today as a result of those meetings. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake.
