Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories formed the Marine Transportation Services, or MTS division, in 2017 to ensure that remote communities on Great Slave Lake, the Mackenzie River, and the Arctic Coast would have continued access to essential everyday goods. After seven sailing seasons providing reliable, this commitment has not wavered. Actions speak louder than words, Mr. Speaker, and MTS's work during an extremely challenging 2023 season exemplified our dedication to customer service. The operating conditions faced by both MTS and the fuel services division in 2023 required staff to be creative and decisive to overcome the obstacles climate change and Mother Nature threw at us. Not only was the season disrupted by two evacuations of Hay River, where MTS's head office, main terminal and shipyards are located, but there were also unprecedented low water levels on the Mackenzie River. When it became apparent early in the summer that water levels on the Mackenzie River might threaten the delivery of essential goods and fuel to communities in the BeaufortDelta region, staff quickly pivoted and developed contingency plans. That is why MTS made the decision to truck 33 loads of cargo to Tuktoyaktuk instead of sending it by barge on the Mackenzie River. We did not want to take the chance that this essential cargo would not make it to those communities. It is also why MTS and the fuel services division decided to have fuel delivered by tanker along the north shore and then offloaded to MTS barges near Tuktoyaktuk instead of barging the fuel from the main terminal in Hay River.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to say we succeeded in shipping 22.7 million litres of fuel and 3,400 tonnes of cargo to 11 northern communities last year. However, despite the hard work and dedication of our staff, some of the challenges remained and were insurmountable.
The final delivery to Tulita and Norman Wells was cancelled in September, negatively impacting clients in both communities. This was not the outcome anyone wanted, and we worked to have priority grocery items flown into Norman Wells in October. Other freight was stranded, both dry goods and fuel, and it is being trucked to Norman Wells and Tulita on the Mackenzie Valley Winter Road or will be delivered by barge from Hay River in the 2024 season.
And speaking of the 2024 sailing season, early indications are that water levels throughout the Northwest Territories could be low once again, and the wildfire season is only a few months away. To provide the best service possible, MTS staff are busy developing contingency plans on potential obstacles to operations, so our communities and customers get their fuel and goods when they need it.
Mr. Speaker, providing the best value for the communities and customers we serve and setting a sustainable path forward are the GNWT's top priorities for MTS operations. A comprehensive independent review of the MTS governance and operations model is currently underway. We are committed to reviewing multiple options to determine the best longterm plan for the territorial government's involvement in marine transportation. We expect to have a draft report ready by this summer that will outline the MTS governance options. I will share this report with the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment when that becomes available.
Mr. Speaker, residents and businesses will continue to depend on marine resupply services for years to come. No matter what governance option is chosen, what will not change is the number one priority of MTS which is delivering costeffective, reliable, professional, and essential resupply services to northern communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister of Infrastructure. Ministers' statements. Minister for Education, Culture and Employment.
