Mr. Speaker, our government signed a memorandum of understanding with the Government of Alberta on the development of a Bilateral Water Management Agreement in March. This agreement, once ratified, will ensure the integrity of water flowing downstream from Alberta into the Mackenzie River Basin.
The GNWT has long been a proponent of the Protected Areas Strategy. To date, approximately 20 areas of interest have been identified across the NWT. The federal government recently announced an additional $10 million would be invested to create or expand protected areas in the NWT. This funding will be spent over the next two years and will focus on preserving boreal forests and the habitat for some caribou herds. This is welcome news and will see the first ever candidate under the Protected
Areas Strategy, Sahoyue-'ehdacho near Deline, receive permanent protection.
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In February 2006, our government released the Barren-Ground Caribou Management Strategy to guide the management of barren-ground caribou herds in the Northwest Territories. This five-year strategy makes use of both traditional and scientific data and outlines short and long-term conservation measures aimed at ensuring viability of barren-ground caribou herds.
Another important and very successful initiative is the Beverage Container Program. This program continues to enjoy a high level of public support with almost 25 million empty beverage containers having been returned to community depots between April 2006 and March 2007. This includes 214 tons of aluminum and 158 tons of plastic containers, most of which would otherwise have been disposed of in landfills or left as litter.
Mr. Speaker, perhaps the most important initiative we are undertaking to protect our environment and reduce greenhouse gas emissions is the Taltson hydro expansion project. The Deze Energy Corporation recently submitted the project description to the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board to begin the regulatory process for this project. The Taltson hydro expansion project is a $400 million joint venture being undertaken by Deze Energy Corporation Limited, a joint venture between the Akaitcho Energy Corporation, the Metis Energy Company and the NWT Energy Corporation Limited. This is a unique approach to a project of this size and truly represents northern and aboriginal ownership on a major development.
The project involves building a new hydro facility adjacent to the site of the existing Taltson hydro plant to serve the four diamond mines. If all mines became hydro customers, overall NWT greenhouse gas emissions would be reduced by 15 percent and there would be 2,000 fewer truckloads of diesel fuel going over the NWT winter roads each year.
This project is a win-win for all involved. The mines would have access to a reliable, environmentally friendly source of power with long-term stability in price. Communities will benefit from both the local aboriginal ownership of the project and the training, job and business opportunities it would present. Our government would benefit from reduced greenhouse gas emissions and reduced pressure on the winter road system.
The new Taltson project is being undertaken by aboriginal development corporations and represents a new way of undertaking hydro development that places community and environmental issues front and centre and ensures they guide all aspects of the project.
Mr. Speaker, before I end, I want to take a moment to thank our public service without whom these critical initiatives could not move ahead. Having had the opportunity to work in our public service in a variety of roles for over 20 years, I can attest to the tremendous professionalism and dedication our employees bring to their jobs. I thank them all today on behalf of all Members of the Legislative Assembly.
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Mr. Speaker, the potential of our territory is enormous: potential for development, for investment, for community and individual progress, potential for shared benefits and wealth unprecedented in our history, wealth to benefit all Canadians. There can be little doubt the territory has been strengthened fiscally, economically, socially and politically during these past three and a half years. But of course, we still have a great deal of work to be completed before the end of our term. I look forward to working with all Members and with our other partners to ensure this work is completed for the benefit of the entire territory. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mahsi cho.
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