In the Sahtu, the MOU with our Deline and Tulita partners has been in place since April and it contained the following objectives:
a) to conduct pre-feasibility work on the hydroelectricity development on the Bear River that can provide power to a proposed Mackenzie Valley pipeline.
b) to develop a detailed MOI between the Energy Corporation, Deline and Tulita.
c) to engage in discussions with the Mackenzie Valley Producers Group for the purchase of hydroelectric power.
We have an excellent working relationship with the Deline Land Corporation and the Tulita Yamouria Secretariat and I am pleased to report we have made substantial progress in a number of areas.
- • Deline and Tulita working group members have made presentations to schools and to elders.
- • Detailed models and posters have been produced that will show the people of Deline and Tulita what a development on the Great Bear River will look like.
- • A group that included Deline and Tulita elders and youth have traveled to Winnipeg to learn about similar hydro developments and to meet with the Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation to learn from their experience with hydro development.
- • Additional pre-feasibility work has been completed and the potential of this development continues to look very promising.
- • Deline, Tulita and the Energy Corporation personnel have worked together to produce a draft MOI that will be completed this fall.
- • Three meetings have been held with Imperial Oil to discuss the potential for hydroelectricity to power the pipeline.
The last meeting held with Imperial Oil was held on September 17th. A proposal on the concept of providing hydroelectric power to the pipeline was provided to Imperial and a presentation was given by Leroy Andre from Deline. Imperial had previously raised a number of issues that this presentation appeared to address. We are currently waiting for an official reply from Imperial and expect further discussions to focus on the issue of pricing.
I have stated many times the development of our hydroelectric resources will be the key to long-term sustainability of the North. Large scale industry should be encouraged to utilize this clean power where feasible to do so. Communities will benefit from a source of clean, affordable power and future generations will have a lasting legacy. An economic renewable source of power has the potential to be the backbone of the NWT economy long after our non-renewable resources are depleted. The government will be faced with many challenging decisions that will impact the long-term sustainability of the NWT. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.