Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I hear tell that, down at the Department of Infrastructure, there is something like a "swear jar." Every time anyone says "NTCL," you have to put a buck in. Although various names have been suggested for the new government entity, like "The Schumann Shipping Company" or "Bob's Baby," the official name is Marine Transportation Services, or MTS for short.
For those who don't know, the core staff at MTS is made up primarily of employees who were laid off last year when NTCL shut down, so they were able to hit the ground running. However, operating a marine shipping company is a monumental task, and there are many challenges. It is a smaller staff than NTCL employed. They had a late start because of the circumstances and those complications because of how NTCL left the operation. However, it appears that things are on schedule, and that is because of the effort and dedication of this group of employees. I want to commend them and thank them for their hard work. Mr. Speaker, take note because this doesn't happen very often, but I also have to commend the senior management responsible for this endeavour, because I know they are working just as hard to make sure that this shipping season is a success.
That being said, it is not all sunshine and roses. Residents were perturbed when they saw an ad in the paper, directing them to send their resumes to Newfoundland for a position at MTS. I have been asked repeatedly why we had to go outside of the Northwest Territories for this service. There is also the $1.3 million of NTCL's outstanding property taxes. The GNWT says it bought the assets, not the debt, and we are going to have to just suck it up, even though MACA admits they have been underfunding the town by millions. Without that money, those of us at Old Town will continue to have to drive on dirt roads for the foreseeable future. In the meantime, though, the GNWT can begin cleaning up the dozens of lots scattered throughout Old Town that are a part of the purchase.
So far, there have been over a dozen companies that have expressed interest in taking away the abandoned barges and tugs, and other piles of scrap litter in Old Town. That would beautify our community, free up land, improve prospects for tourism, and create employment and training opportunities. Despite these immediate benefits, I am told we have to wait until inventory is done, which could be years away. Mr. Speaker, these are just a few of the issues. I could go on for hours, but I will have questions for the Minister of Infrastructure at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.