This is page numbers 5203 - 5254 of the Hansard for the 18th Assembly, 3rd Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was going. View the webstream of the day's session.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Acknowledgements. Item 7, oral questions. Member for Nunakput.

Herbert Nakimayak

Herbert Nakimayak Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier I spoke about the announcement for the Sachs Harbour power plant, and my questions are for the Minister of Infrastructure. We have heard that the new power plant in Sachs Harbour will be much more efficient than the old one, but it seemed to mention a lower power rate. I'm not sure if the Minister can answer this, but what can the community expect in terms of savings? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Minister of Infrastructure.

Wally Schumann

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As far as power rates go, that question probably would have to be directed to the Minister of the Power Corporation. One thing I can say about installing these new fuel-efficient engines in the community of Sachs Harbour is the documentation and data that I've received shows it's going to have an 18-percent improvement on expected GHG savings, which is going to be about 283 kilotonnes a year, and it's designed, this construction, as all Members know, we're doing a wind study in that region. It's going to be able to build that addition to the power system.

Herbert Nakimayak

Herbert Nakimayak Nunakput

That's all good news. Strong wind is a local resource in the community. I am looking forward to even more efficiency and a smaller carbon footprint. When can we expect an addition of a wind turbine or turbines in Sachs Harbour?

Wally Schumann

Wally Schumann Hay River South

We're working on our wind study there. All indications support the idea of us installing one in Sachs Harbour as well as Norman Wells. We are doing our wind study, as well. I think, once all the data is finished being collected along with this announcement that we see with the federal support for this new generator in Sachs Harbour, I suspect that procurement for the windmill would be within the next 24 months.

Herbert Nakimayak

Herbert Nakimayak Nunakput

When you have big announcements like that, and especially the one the Minister just mentioned, there is a chance to build capacity in the community, and I look forward to that. What is the government's plan to roll out more efficient power systems in Nunakput communities, including renewable energy components?

Wally Schumann

Wally Schumann Hay River South

If you look at our energy plan going forward, we have a three-year rolling plan that is continually being adjusted as new technologies and different communities put their energy plans forward to us. We work with all the communities in the Northwest Territories. As for the Member's exact question around his communities, a lot of that is going to depend on what type of community involvement they are going to want to be able to participate in some of these projects going forward. With the power purchase agreements, if the community looks at our strategy, there is an opportunity for them to be participants in this. We will work closely with the Member and his communities on how they want to be able to participate.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nunakput.

Herbert Nakimayak

Herbert Nakimayak Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the Minister's commitment. Just on the last answer there, what is the timetable for upgrading electricity systems in Paulatuk, Ulukhaktok, and Tuktoyaktuk? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Wally Schumann

Wally Schumann Hay River South

I don't have that detailed information in front of me, but I can work with our Minister in charge of the MTPC and get that information to the Member. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nahendeh.

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Previously, I was asking questions to the Minister responsible for Lands about equity leases and that. They were talking about positions and stuff like that. Can the Minister please advise us: have all the positions been filled at this point in time? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Minister of Lands.

Louis Sebert

Louis Sebert Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to advise that all five positions have now been staffed. The final staffing process has been completed. The final person who was being put in the position will be starting shortly. All positions are now filled or about to be filled. Thank you.

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

That is great to hear, that the positions are filled. Previously, when the Minister was talking about the process and they were talking about training and having the positions located in Smith and then taking the training there, now these positions are located in various locations. Has the department started developing training plans for these positions?

Louis Sebert

Louis Sebert Thebacha

I can advise that training has been ongoing. As these positions have become staffed, each of the people in the positions, of course, come with different skill sets and backgrounds. The training has been a combination of specific to the individual as well as training for the equity lease team. Of course, as I mentioned, training will be ongoing and will be adapted as issues emerge. Yes, training has been conducted and will be continued in the future.

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

That is great to hear. Since the training has started and is individualized, which is great, has the department and the staff started to work on reviewing these files?

Louis Sebert

Louis Sebert Thebacha

Work is ongoing. The equity lease team will be reviewing the files to outline and identify the status of each file and the issues that may be involved. There may be issues such as survey requirements and so on. Yes, work has started and is ongoing.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nahendeh.

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, I thank the Minister for that answer. I am very grateful that the department is still working towards that and we are getting to the bottom of this issue. Can the Minister advise us when they anticipate the work will be completed with these files? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Louis Sebert

Louis Sebert Thebacha

Of course, the work is ongoing and will proceed in stages. In the settled land-claim regions, work has begun. Of course, I anticipate that that work will be less complicated than in the unsettled land-claim regions. In those regions, of course, there will have to be consultation. I am talking about the unsettled land-claim regions. There will have to be consultation with Indigenous governments. As to when the work might be completed, that is obviously going to take some time. It is not as though all these leases are the same. They are not all different, but there are certainly variations amongst the leases. I can't give a final time for this work to be completed. I know how important it is, and I certainly would be prepared to advise the Member opposite as to progress. I realize, as I said, this is an important issue. We are moving ahead. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Sahtu.

Question 652-18(3): Mining Investments
Oral Questions

March 6th, 2019

Page 5206

Daniel McNeely

Daniel McNeely Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Further to my statement to the Minister of ITI, could the Minister tell me why he thinks the perception of the NWT as a place to invest in mining improved so much since the last year's Fraser Institute survey? Mahsi.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment.