Mr. Speaker, plans were moving forward with the Taltson Hydro expansion. The
investment of this project has been significant and the government has even identified a further $2.5 million in this upcoming budget.
For the most part, Northerners support the expansion of the hydro because of the environmental benefits of a cleaner source of power that will hopefully reduce our electric bills and, of course, Mr. Speaker, I fully support the advancement of the North’s hydro potential over diesel.
Mr. Speaker, the benefits of cheaper, cleaner electricity for residents in the NWT all depends on the route chosen for the Taltson expansion. The route favoured by the proponents of the project is constructed over land, power lines, around the East Arm of Great Slave Lake. This route supports the commercial sale of power to the diamond mines only, but does not move it closer to building a grid here in the North to help the other communities get off diesel-generated power.
Are we working for the corporations, Mr. Speaker, or the people? I question where the public interest is being sought after. Mr. Speaker, there are some good reasons to re-evaluate the route being chosen here. We need to start focussing in on the residents as opposed to just the diamond mines.
The two diamond mines have less than 20 years of production left before them and, of course, what isn’t known yet is the power purchasing agreements have yet to be signed. So without those energy corporation agreements signed, we don’t have a customer. So who is carrying the cost and the risk of this development so far? The northern taxpayer.
Mr. Speaker, we also have to keep in mind that the proposed route also crosses land set aside for a new national park. The construction of those power lines in that pristine wilderness will have some environmental consequences, and I certainly have no doubt there will be opposition.
Mr. Speaker, given all of these issues, it seems that the proposed route is very risky and perhaps even shortsighted. If the government is making this kind of investment, we need to ensure that the long-term needs are for northern residents first. Surely we can find a route that allows us to sell the power to our people as well as mines.
Mr. Speaker, we have all heard about the road to nowhere. We’ve all heard about the bridge to nowhere. But my fear is we may end up having a power line to nowhere, certainly if the economic climate continues the way it is.
Mr. Speaker, I urge this Cabinet to think carefully that if there are extra costs associated with putting a new power grid into play, that they should think
about the benefits associated with it and that alone will make it better for our Northerners altogether. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.