In the Legislative Assembly on September 7th, 1999. See this topic in context.

Question 5-13(8): Consultation On Natural Gas Conversion Project
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

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Seamus Henry Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to Mr. Kakfwi, the Minister responsible for Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development. Mr. Kakfwi made a statement in the House today regarding the Inuvik Natural Gas Conversion Program and he informed the House that the department had provided initial funding for research in the project. He also talked about the initial cost of conversion of some of these projects. Mr. Speaker, I would like to make it clear up front, I do not have the concerns of the major oil companies at heart when I ask these questions. I am more concerned about the small business people, in particular the individuals in Inuvik that are presently supplying other kinds of fuel to homes. I think the department and the Minister should be commended for the reduction in greenhouse gases that this type of project will contribute towards, but I am just wondering how or has there been any consultation with the present fuel suppliers in Inuvik, the small business people who have large investments in the community who right now stand to lose substantially because of another government subsidized program bringing an alternate source of energy. My question to the Minister is, Mr. Speaker, was there any consultation or is there any plan to assist the business people who stand to lose because of the government support of this particular gas project? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 5-13(8): Consultation On Natural Gas Conversion Project
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Kakfwi.

Return To Question 5-13(8): Consultation On Natural Gas Conversion Project
Question 5-13(8): Consultation On Natural Gas Conversion Project
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

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Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe that there has been extensive work done in the region and in the community of Inuvik. The project has been widely supported by the residents, by the business community in the town of Inuvik. It has been a relatively high profile type of initiative that stands to lower the cost of living for the town of Inuvik for doing business in the town of Inuvik. It is a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions so environmentally it is a huge plus. It is true that it will have an impact on some individual businesses but this is a development that is welcomed and supported by the community and by the region. Thank you.

Return To Question 5-13(8): Consultation On Natural Gas Conversion Project
Question 5-13(8): Consultation On Natural Gas Conversion Project
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Henry.

Supplementary To Question 5-13(8): Consultation On Natural Gas Conversion Project
Question 5-13(8): Consultation On Natural Gas Conversion Project
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

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Seamus Henry Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister did reiterate all the positive points and they are, in fact, positive points about this type of development. I am wondering, would the Minister commit to having his department officials sit down with the parties, say the small business people, who will be affected by this to see if there are opportunities through the department that these parties can be involved in the same roles, suppliers of energy resources, if they can find some role to be involved with this particular gas project so that they are not negatively impacted? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 5-13(8): Consultation On Natural Gas Conversion Project
Question 5-13(8): Consultation On Natural Gas Conversion Project
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Kakfwi.

Further Return To Question 5-13(8): Consultation On Natural Gas Conversion Project
Question 5-13(8): Consultation On Natural Gas Conversion Project
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

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Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We will take the Member's comments into consideration and get back to him at a later date. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 5-13(8): Consultation On Natural Gas Conversion Project
Question 5-13(8): Consultation On Natural Gas Conversion Project
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

September 6th, 1999

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Oral questions. Mr. Erasmus.