Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The sealift is a vital lifeline from the remote coastal communities in my riding, Mr. Speaker. It is the only way families can lower their food bills once a year, by ordering large amounts of food that bring everything into the communities that you could imagine, such as dried goods, building materials and supplies, cars, trucks, heavy equipment, and bulk petroleum; you name it. If someone can order it, then I guarantee you it has been delivered on a sealift to Nunakput.
In 2016, the Northern Transportation Company, a subsidiary of the Inuvialuit Corporate Group, announced the company was folding. That's the year that GNWT purchased NTCL assets and established Marine Transportation Services in the Department of Infrastructure to continue providing vital services in goods marshalled out of Hay River through barges up the Mackenzie River to the Beaufort Sea.
Mr. Speaker, the 2018 sailing season was a disaster for Nunakput. MTS was unable to deliver freight to Paulatuk. They blamed high water, ice blockage in the Beaufort Sea, and a lack of fuel for the cancellation. In fact, however, ships that were supposed to be resupplying Ulukhaktok and Sachs Harbour were actually late in returning from private contracts, Mr. Speaker, which set everything back. This was shown on the coast guard's tracking system. MTS was criticized for prioritizing private contract with essential resupply to the communities.
Mr. Speaker, this cost our government $3.9 million to fly in essential goods to the communities. Those who had materials from equipment vehicles on the barge had to wait another year to arrive into the communities. When the materials did arrive, they were spoiled from sitting on the barge.
I am raising this concern, Mr. Speaker. I want the Minister of Infrastructure to know how important it is to make sure that MTS does resupply our communities, and the planning is now for the upcoming sailing season. I am really happy that the department sent out their 2020 sailing schedule. It is good to see, but I am encouraging the Minister responsible for MTS to come to Nunakput and meet with my mayors and my constituents on the MTS situation on the 2020 sailing season. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.