Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there are times in our Assembly when issues are dealt with and debated by Members to the particular Ministers. As Members, we return to issues and ask questions. Sometimes the questions we ask and the issues that we raise may be redundant. Mr. Speaker, we return to those issues time and time again and repeat the questions because we are not satisfied with the answers we receive, and we are not satisfied that our issues and concerns are being heard. For that reason, I must return to an item that is facing this House, the Keewatin resupply.
For many years, fuel has been barged to eastern Arctic communities and delivered cargo and fuel. The barges delivering fuel and cargo to each community each year were able to meet the demands knowing there was another barge that would take supplies during the summer season. Although the communities are satisfied with the barging service in the eastern Arctic and the Keewatin communities, it seems the government is not. The government is pursuing another alternative which involves the use of tankers. For this alternative to be implemented, money must be spent to construct pipelines and facilities to deliver fuel from the tankers. Fuel delivery is linked to cargo delivery for the docks, barges and tankers used for hauling cargo. Communities that receive fuel by tankers may only have barge service once a year.
In regard to the items that are needed in order to complete a construction season, they may not be able to bring these items by barge. The other alternative is air freight . The cost of air freight. to the communities and the cost of building is a lot in these communities.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.