Thank you, Madam Chair. I just want to talk a little bit about the project, using the surplus hydropower, that is available at the existing Taltson system to eliminate the use of diesel for electrical generation in the communities of Fort Providence, Kakisa, Dory Point. The delivery of hydropower to the customers and communities would also reduce the cost of power. I am going to revert the question over to Mr. Jenkins to provide more detail on what the plan is for the project. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister. Mr. Jenkins.

Thank you, Mr. Jenkins. Member for Hay River South.

Thank you, Madam Chair. It's interesting. I do not oppose the idea. That is for sure. We are always looking for cheaper power in the south. When I read the news, I see that the Power Corporation, we're spilling water over the dam and we've got surplus power, but we are not utilizing it in the communities to promote manufacturing or to promote electric heat. I understand that the reason that we are doing this, possibly, is because we are waiting for the big mine to show up around Pine Point or wherever. We seem to be waiting for that big white elephant, and it never seems to come, when we could be actually using that source of power to reduce the cost of power in the South Slave area, which would then, in turn, spur the economy, as well, like the manufacturing sector and whatever other businesses. I am just wondering what are your thoughts on that, Madam.

Thank you, Member. Minister.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I think the project is one of the best projects we have in this energy strategy. There is opportunity within the many different projects that are happening here in the South, whether it be whatever region, that we need to be able to look and see what works best, what is cost-saving, and try to help us meet our 2030 Energy Strategy. This is something that our department is looking into. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister. Member.

Thank you, Madam Chair. When I look at it, I am looking how to reduce the cost for the people in the community. This is one way to do it. It has been sitting there for years, year after year after year, and nothing gets done. Now, it's the best project. It is a good project. There is no doubt about that. I just hope that we utilize it in the right way.

I would like to go to talk about the ferry system. I know in Fort Simpson they were looking at the potential for a bridge. I am just wondering what involvement the government has in this, or is it just the community of Fort Simpson that was pushing this idea? I know that the ferry system, a few of the ferries are probably aging out, and there is going to be a requirement to either build new ones and replace them or look at a bridge along the different areas. I am just wondering what the government is planning with respect to aging ferries and replacements. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Member. Minister.

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

Thank you, Minister. Mr. Jenkins.

Thank you. Mr. Loutitt.

Thank you, Mr. Loutitt. Member for Nunakput.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Just a few things in regard to the Infrastructure services that were going. The Inuvik terminal and the runway extension, just making sure that we have local contractors that are doing the work that's coming up on these projects. Keep it local and in regard to no bringing in outsiders. That's just a comment to have on that. The M18 project, they had a meeting last night back home with M18, which is 13 kilometers outside of Tuktoyaktuk, on Tuktoyaktuk 71a lands, and I'm just wondering if this government is looking at any monies because it will provide LNG with the condensates off of that wealth. You'd get gasoline and diesel that we could provide for the region. I'm just wondering if there is anything coming up with that question I have for M18 for funding. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Member for Nunakput. Minister.

Thank you, Madam Chair. That project is a great opportunity for the Beaufort-Delta. We provided the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation with a support letter to be able to advance the project. We're constantly looking for ways to be able to tap into stuff that are cheaper for our infrastructure, and there is opportunity for the Member's community in Tuktoyaktuk to be able to look at how we can perhaps tap into the source. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Minister. Member.

Yes. It is a really good opportunity to get gas a lot cheaper for the outlying communities because I think, without our subsidy that's given by our government, you'd be paying $2-something a litre. Getting opportunity to do something like this would probably be about $1.25 a litre, if not a little bit cheaper, because we're getting it right there at the source. It being on 71a lands under the Inuvialuit Final Agreement, 71a lands meaning Tuktoyaktuk lands. Are we keeping in contact with the Tuktoyaktuk community corporation with their business, the Tuktoyaktuk development corporation, and keeping them apprised on what we're doing with IRC and keeping them in the loop, or is it just IRC giving them information? How does that work with this, Madam Chair? Thank you.

Thank you, Member. We're going a little bit away from this, but I'm going to let it go a little bit. Minister.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I just want to note that the Department of Infrastructure is supporting IDC in their discussions with the Ferus Natural Gas. We are also helping them with their logistics plans, including the supply chain support, which is important. I do want to say that we have a nondisclosure with the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation. Therefore, we can't share too much information about this. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Minister. Member for Nunakput.