Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I don't mean to brag, but the future is bright, and the potential is enormous for the hub of the North. What am I talking about? Just look at some of the investments being made in and around Hay River. Last week, Osisko Metals completed its acquisition of Pine Point Mining. When you consider the strong outlook for zinc, the quality of the deposits, and the fact that Osisko has the expertise, the determination, and most importantly the financial backing to put Pine Point back into production, I expect this mine to become operational in the coming years. That's hundreds of jobs for our region.
The Aurora Wood Pellet mill project is coming to fruition. Land is being cleared, and construction of the $70,000,000 capital project is scheduled to begin this May. The mill should be completed by next year, creating dozens of jobs across the region.
Cando Rail Services is setting up shop in Hay River. They are going to hire locals to do work that is currently done by CN crews from High Level. That's half a dozen jobs.
Tourism is on the rise, as well, Mr. Speaker. Private operators have been making investments that are beginning to pay off, and are putting the industry in a great position for future growth. The Town of Hay River is also doing its part for tourism. It's now keeping the visitor information centre open year round, and it's hired a full-time tourism and economic development coordinator. I've also heard of some other potential ventures that are very exciting and could be big for the entire region.
The government is also chipping in, Mr. Speaker. This government recently announced the new 48-bed long-term care facility. I hope that will be operational in the coming years. In addition to keeping our elders close to their families, the facility will provide 60 jobs. The GNWT has also put our shipping industry back on solid ground, ensuring 140 seasonable jobs at MTS in addition to the year-round positions.
The new Marine Training Centre that was recently announced not only means new jobs, it also helps ensure that locals can get the training they need to take advantage of those jobs at MTS. The centre also supports the strategy to revitalize the Great Slave Lake commercial fishery. This access to training, combined with a state-of-the-art fish processing plant that this government has committed to build, will help the fishers bring the industry to new heights.
The GNWT's renewed focus on agriculture and manufacturing also bodes well for the region, which is the heart of both industries in the NWT. The future is bright for Hay River, Mr. Speaker. Prosperity is on the horizon, and growth is inevitable. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.