This is page numbers 1523 - 1562 of the Hansard for the 19th Assembly, 2nd 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 housing.

Consideration Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Welcome. Members, do we have any questions or comments under programs and services? Member for Monfwi.

Consideration Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

Masi, Madam Chair. [Translation] When we say infrastructure, we are talking about things that are going to be built in our community. This is the item that we are on. I have one item. We've been talking about Whati, and also the elders have been mentioning this over the years. They have been talking about having hydro to their community. When did they have a change of decision? I want to know what the department is doing on this topic, regarding electricity to Whati. [End of translation]

Consideration Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member. Minister.

Consideration Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Madam Chair. The Whati transmission line is a key initiative under the 2030 Energy Strategy. Just to put this in perspective, the project would displace 500,000 litres of diesel energy currently used for power generation in Whati and reduce greenhouse gases by 1.4 kilotonnes annually. The Government of the Northwest Territories is committed to partnering with the Tlicho Government to advance this Whati transmission line. Madam Chair, that's where we're at with this project right now. Thank you.

Consideration Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1542

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Minister. Member for Monfwi.

Consideration Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1542

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

Masi, Madam Chair. This particular one used to be mini-hydro; now, it's a transmission line. The Minister talked about partnership with the Tlicho Government. I know there has been a lot of discussion over the years. We're still talking about it. A lot of elders have passed on. They have always stated that they can't even have dried fish hanging up outside because of the heavy black smoke out of the diesel generators in the community. This Whati transmission line, are we heavily dependent on a federal contribution, as well, or is this directly between the GNWT and the Tlicho Government? Masi.

Consideration Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1542

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member. Minister.

Consideration Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1542

Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Madam Chair. I am going to turn this over to Mr. Jenkins.

Consideration Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1542

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Mr. Jenkins.

Consideration Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Jenkins

Thank you, Madam Chair. Yes, the Whati transmission line is included within our 10-year notional plan. Federal support will be imperative to the successful implementation of this project. We will be working on an application for federal funding on this project that we hope to submit next fiscal year, and that would be on the 75/25 funding basis. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Consideration Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1542

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Mr. Jenkins. Member for Monfwi.

Consideration Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

October 30th, 2020

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Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

Masi, Madam Chair. I'm just curious about the time frame. Since we have an all-weather road going through the community now, with this transmission line, obviously, it will be much easier to connect to the community. The submission of a proposal, I am very surprised that it's not in with the federal government yet. Like I said, we've been talking about this since mini-hydro, and now the transmission line. Once the submission is initiated, what will be the time frame? If all goes well with the federal government, shovelling the dirt, I'm just curious on the time frame itself, Madam Chair. Masi.

Consideration Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1542

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member. Minister.

Consideration Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1543

Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Madam Chair. The Member is correct. We did work on the technical study, the preliminary environmental studies, and a potential additional traditional knowledge of the land use studies. Once the routing and the feasibility work is completed, Infrastructure will work toward federal funding under the ICIP program. This would not likely begin until late 2021; that's the timeline. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Consideration Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1543

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Minister. Member for Monfwi.

Consideration Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1543

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

Masi, Madam Chair. Since there was a big shift from mini-hydro to transmission line, one would assume that the community of Whati has been actively engaged. If so, I'd like to get more detailed information, probably from the Minister, not right now but later on. What kind of engagement have taken place from mini-Hydro until today? Just a comment to the Minister if she can follow up on that? Masi.

Consideration Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member for Monfwi. Minister.

Consideration Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1543

Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Madam Chair. Absolutely. We will get the Member a little bit more detail information and the specific timelines on where we're at with the project. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Consideration Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1543

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Minister. Member for Monfwi? No. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Consideration Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Steve Norn

Steve Norn Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Marsi, Madam Chair. Just going through this long list here, I counted 37 items for the project listing, and again, I only see one. It's frustrating, very frustrating. I did have some questions on the one project here that's clearly listed here, Lutselk'e, the Lutselk'e Power Plant. I just want to ask the Minister when, this project, can we expect to see up and running and to completion and just give an idea, an update, to the House on when it's going to be started and finished. Marsi cho.

Consideration Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1543

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member. Minister.

Consideration Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1543

Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Madam Chair. I will tell you in one second here. Actually, Madam Chair, I would like to divert this to Mr. Jenkins.

Consideration Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1543

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Mr. Jenkins.

Consideration Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Jenkins

Thank you, Madam Chair. The Lutselk'e Power Plant, that project involves a replacement and a relocation of the existing plant. The existing facility is nearing the end of its service life. We have received funding from Canada under the ICIP program, and we're looking at project completion as stated in the capital plan of 2021-2022. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Consideration Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1543

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Mr. Jenkins. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.