Mahsi, Mr.
Speaker.
[English translation not provided.]
Mr. Speaker, I am encouraged by the interest in the Arctic gateway that I've recently heard about from various leaders and my counterparts in other jurisdictions.
I am pleased to report that on April 8, 2008, at the Council of Ministers Responsible for Transportation and Highway Safety meeting in Gatineau, Quebec, the federal Transportation Minister committed his department to undertake a feasibility study on the Arctic gateway and trade corridor. This study is expected to commence later this year.
I am also pleased with the support we received from the Arctic gateway at the recent Western Canada Transportation Ministers meeting in Victoria, B.C. The federal government recently released the National Policy Framework for Strategic Gateways and Corridors. This framework defines the elements of a national strategic gateway and guides federal investment. Factors such as economic efficiency and competitiveness, sovereignty and security and environmental sustainability are considered within this framework.
I would like to provide Members with an update on the proposed NWT Arctic gateway and trade corridor through the Mackenzie Valley. This NWT gateway has the potential to re-arrange logistics for major resource developments in western Canada and in the North. The centrepiece of this gateway is the Over the Top marine shipping route.
An Arctic gateway and trade corridor through the Mackenzie Valley will provide efficiencies and
savings. The shortened distance from Asia and Europe would reduce current weight and dimension restrictions now experienced on delivery routes from either Atlantic or Pacific gateways. An Arctic gateway also provides the advantage of relieving congestion for the southern ports, highways and rail links.
The importance of developing an Arctic gateway will continue to expand due to the rise in the demand for imported goods and exports from Canadian commodities, climate change and technology advancement.
Over the past year the Department of Transportation completed an initial assessment study of the route, held meetings and information sessions on the route with proponents, oil sands stakeholders, various regulators, interested territorial, provincial and federal departments, including Transport Canada, and Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation. This work has helped generate national interest in the concept of an NWT Arctic gateway and trade corridor.
Industry has also been busy promoting the NWT Arctic gateway concept. Recently Arctic Module Inland Transportation Ltd., or AMIT, was established, a new joint venture between the Inuvialuit corporation, NTCL and Mammoet Canada, to focus on planning, testing and promoting the Over the Top marine shipping route. In March of this year AMIT started an engineering study for a major resource developer. This study will look into logistical aspects of this long-used historical route, as well as technology, vessel and regulatory requirements. AMIT will also be investigating an option that involves shipping modules up the Mackenzie River through the port of Hay River and via surface transportation to sites in Alberta and Saskatchewan. It should also be noted that NTCL completed a successful run of the Over the Top route in 2006 and is also proposing to test a barge delivery via Lake Athabasca to a site in Saskatchewan later this summer. These activities speak to the high level of interest and support for this transportation route.
The Department of Transportation view an Over the Top marine shipping route as an opportunity to promote additional economic opportunity in the Northwest Territories and to further assert Canada's sovereignty over the North. An Over the Top marine shipping route could improve the sustainability of our current marine transportation industry and further develop the communities of Tuktoyaktuk, Hay River and Fort Smith as significant marine service centres.
As the Over the Top route gains momentum, opportunities for development of the Mackenzie Valley all-weather highway also increases. Together, the Mackenzie Valley Highway and the
Over the Top marine shipping route have the potential to become a major national strategic gateway.
In conclusion, I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues, AMIT and other proponents of an Arctic gateway and Over the Top marine shipping route. This work is a good example of how industry and government can partner to improve our transportation system.
Advancing the NWT Arctic gateway and trade corridor is both in the national and Northwest Territories' interest. An Arctic gateway and trade corridor should provide long-lasting benefits to the residents and businesses and communities of the Northwest Territories.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.