Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the issue I will once again speak to today is with regard to the Rankin Inlet tank farm project. Mr. Speaker, since it appears we are still in a holding pattern for information relating to this project, I feel compelled to read the following press release that was issued last week by the Arviat hamlet council.
It reads as follows:
The Arviat hamlet council once again questions the need for the proposed Rankin Inlet fuel resupply hub.
Arviat (February 6th) - Acting Mayor Peter Kritaqliluk, reacting to the press release from Public Works and Services Minister Goo Arlooktoo announcing the resumption of negotiations for a contract to construct a P.O.L. hub tank farm at Rankin Inlet, wishes to bring the following issues to the attention of the general public.
Does the GNWT, in light of division of the NWT in 1999, have the mandate to negotiate and enter into a contract for 20 to 25 years?
With the councils of Baker Lake, Arviat and Coral Harbour previously on record as being opposed to this project, on what authority does the GNWT feel it can proceed with this project?
"With clearly more than 50 per cent of the representative population of the Keewatin region against this project, why is it that the GNWT is treating this as a priority project and proceeding with negotiations? Is the government refusing to listen to the people?" said Kritaqliluk.
The churchill tank farm, owned by the Government of Canada, as noted in Arlooktoo's press release of February 2, 1996 is, "scheduled to shut down in 1998. The territorial government had the opportunity to purchase this facility, but declined."
"Our initial inquiries indicate that the Churchill facility will close in 1998 because it would no longer have a purpose if the GNWT isn't going to store fuel for the Keewatin there." said Kritaqliluk.
A committee struck by the Arviat hamlet council has discovered that the cost of upgrading the existing Churchill fuel storage facility was estimated at a fraction of the estimated $16 million required to construct a Rankin Inlet facility. The tank farm component of the Rankin Inlet project, by the GNWT's own estimate, would be in excess of $6 million alone. In addition, marine and navigational improvements for the Rankin project would cost in excess...