Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to advise the Legislature that the Dogrib Power Corporation's Snare Cascades hydro plant has reached a significant stage towards completion. Mr. Speaker, for about 15 minutes on Monday afternoon of this week, the Yellowknife power system received its first energy from this important new facility. The amount of power was small, about one megawatt, but it's important because it marks the first successful test of the plant's full capacity, which will be 4.3 megawatts.
Representatives of the Dogrib Power Corporation and the NWT Power Corporation advise the testing procedure will continue for the next few weeks, leading up to the scheduled completion date of July 1 st. When tests are completed and the plant is declared ready, it will be handed over to the NWT Power Corporation as the operators and maintainers for the next 65 years.
I am also pleased to advise, Mr. Speaker, that this project came within the projected budget of $26.5 million. This project is a partnership of both the Dogrib Nation and the Government of the Northwest Territories. It represents a development that combines the interest and the needs of the aboriginal people of the region and the NWT Power Corporation.
For the customers in Yellowknife, Rae-Edzo and Dettah, it will supply clean, efficient power for decades to come. I know that I speak for all the Dogrib people, as the owners of this plant, and congratulate the planners and builders and those who have helped make this project a reality. I wish them continued success in this completion. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause