Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We heard during the last sitting that the government and the NWT Power Corporation are making serious efforts to investigate the feasibility of a hydro project on the Bear River. Perhaps we have millions of dollars being spent there, but we don't really know what is happening with consent from other governments. The Minister has advised us that feasibility work involving talking to potential partners, customers and whatnot is happening but, to my knowledge right now, I have no idea if the federal government is onboard with this subject.
This is all well and good if the federal government plays a key role in the potential of this development. Has the Minister responsible talked to the Government of Canada about a hydro project on the Bear River? Has he talked to DIAND? Has he talked to Fisheries and Oceans? Has he talked to the Environment Minister? Those are the few that come to mind immediately.
Mr. Speaker, we are talking about $2.7 million on the Taltson, we are talking about half-a-million dollars on the Bear River that has been spent, but I have simple questions such as do we have that right over that jurisdiction that Canada governs to even start any hydro project anywhere in the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, do we have Canada's support? There are many concerns about global warming and energy problems and Kyoto started yesterday, Mr. Speaker. These mega projects make a lot of sense, but there is a lot of risk involved when we deal with public money, Mr. Speaker.
These are good ideas and I support the ideas but, Mr. Speaker, I certainly hope someone from this government is testing these ideas with the federal government. At the end of the day, they can say no. If they say no, the approximately $3.4 million dollars we have spent thus far, both on the Bear and the Taltson combined, would have been money wasted without opening up that subject with Canada. Mr. Speaker, later today I will have questions for the appropriate Minister. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.