Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, as this project is in my riding, the community involved is also in my riding. I guess it's needless to say how I'm going to vote on this bill. This current bill basically gives this government the mandate to negotiate, and also to introduce a toll. I'm certainly supportive of the Combined Council Alliance's desire to design and finance, construct and operate a bridge at the Deh Cho, Fort Providence crossing. In order to make this happen, we need a partnership with this government. We need the industry and investors, and many other players.
But, Mr. Chairman, the general concept is not a new one. This concept that is being introduced is similar to one that has been used on other infrastructure projects in southern Canada. For example, on the bridge that's linking PEI to New Brunswick, and on Highway No. 407 in Toronto. I'm told there are other projects on a smaller scale.
Mr. Chairman, the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation is proposing to raise the equity and obtain the debt financing to design and finance, build and maintain this bridge. In order to do that, there's a need to enter into an agreement with this government for a concession period of 35 years. In order to service the debt, the government has to introduce a toll, along with some of the cost-saving measures that would be realized from not having to build an ice road and operate the ferry. The revenue would be used to service and retire the debt, to operate and maintain the bridge, and provide a return on shareholder equity. At the end of this concession period of 35 years, the ownership of the bridge will be turned over to this government and the bridge will be paid for and in good condition. At that time, this government could suspend its annual contribution in tolls.
So this project and this proposal would benefit both the government and the users, and also the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation. There are many benefits to the Northwest Territories. For business and industry it would mean more reliable service, greater certainty of access and supplies through eliminating the winter disruptions of one to three weeks, and also the spring closure every year when the ice breaks up and we have the ferry shut down for roughly four weeks. This would also mean reduced costs due to the delays for the ferry and the ice bridge. Even when the ferry is operating during the summer months, it still means adding at least 20 minutes minimum to a one-way trip. It also would mean a savings in cost to finance, transport and store inventory in communities north of the river. We believe the cost freight allowance of $6 a tonne will be more than offset by savings.
To the public it also means reliable service and access for the driving public. It also means reduced risk of storage of goods during the isolation period. There are no fees for the non-commercial traffic.
To the Government of the Northwest Territories the benefits are direct savings from operation and maintenance of the ferry, shore infrastructure, the ice bridge, and the ice bridge access roads. We also believe there will be direct savings in capital, because we'll no longer need to replace or add ferries or invest in support infrastructure. It also supports the strategies of this government, of the 14th Assembly, and we stated that partnership arrangements to help build infrastructure are part of A Better Tomorrow. This is a northern solution with significant economic spin-offs, including direct and indirect fiscal benefits from businesses and employment incomes generated by the construction.
Again, I have to state that at the end of the concession period, the GNWT will acquire the bridge at no cost.
For the Government of Canada, there are again direct and indirect fiscal benefits, from the businesses and employment incomes generated by construction. This project supports the DIAND objectives; the objective to secure First Nations participation in and expand economic benefits from major regional development initiatives in areas such as regional infrastructure projects. This project also supports regional economic development, including the non-renewable resource sector.
Mr. Chairman, the biggest benefit and one of the most important reasons that the community of Fort Providence embarked on this project was for environmental concerns. With this project, we believe that there is a net environmental benefit. There will be reduced risk of spills, reduction in siltation and other disturbance to the river. Several years ago when a truck went through the ice, it really put fear into the hearts of everybody that lived along the Deh Cho. It could have been a major environmental catastrophe.
This project doesn't come without concerns. Most of the communities in the North Slave, especially when it comes to costs, but more so when we talk about any project along the river, the aboriginal people have raised all kinds of concerns. We were wondering what would it mean in terms of migratory birds. Fort Providence and the Mackenzie River are out of the main routes for geese, ducks and shore birds. There has been a lot of concern, especially from our elders, about what this would mean. Would it disturb their route? Would it change their life?
As Mrs. Groenewegen indicated in her Member's statement two days ago, the people are kind of nostalgic about the ferry. We in the community of Fort Providence also look forward to the springtime when the ice doesn't allow us to cross and it's too early for the ferry to cross. We become a fairly isolated community and things really slow down, and it's a real quality time of the year. People go out camping, you don't have to worry about the heavy trucks on the highway, you don't have to worry about a lot of things, and people really look forward to that. With this bridge, of course that will change. Also with the construction of this bridge, we have to be very concerned and it's been stated over and over that there's no damage to the fish habitat.
Mr. Chairman, as the MLA for the community that is embarking on this initiative, I once again want to point out that I am supportive of this project. I have been involved with this project as the MLA representing this community. I'm quite proud that many people have come to the forefront to recognize the benefits of this whole project. People from the community, people from the Northwest Territories, people from within this government, the Department of Transportation including the Minister have really done a lot of work. There is still a lot of work. But without this Bill 13, the project would probably come to a standstill. It's something that's required at this point, and I certainly encourage my colleagues to vote in favour. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.