Thanks, Madam Chair. This is more of a comment. We spent tens of millions of dollars on these two projects, and I, as a legislator, have not seen an updated cost estimate. I don't know what else I can say. That's just not good management. I will leave it at that. I want to ask about the strategic infrastructure line on page 243, $667,000. Can someone tell me briefly what that is actually for? Thank you.
Debates of March 2nd, 2021
This is page numbers 2243 - 2298 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 going.
Topics
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Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. The strategic infrastructure line, there's not a change in it from previous. It's due to unfunded positions and an increase of O and M spending. I am looking at it as no change, but I am going to look to ADM Brennan to just confirm. I see a difference here because there is a decrease of $133,000. Thank you, Madam Chair.
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Brennan
Thank you, Madam Chair. The $667,000 is $560,000 for salary and about $100,000 for O and M, including travel, some contracts, and materials and supplies. Thank you, Madam Chair.
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Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake
Thanks, Madam Chair. I appreciate that concise response. I had understood that the department was doing some studies, research, cost estimates for small hydro projects close to some of the Tlicho communities, including Whati, Gameti, Wekweeti. Can someone tell me the status of that work? Thanks, Madam Chair.
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Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. I am going to get ADM Jenkins to find that in his book really quickly and respond. Thank you, Madam Chair.
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Jenkins
Thank you, Madam Chair. One project I can speak to quickly is the project for Gameti. We have done some hydrological monitoring on that since 2018 looking at doing a community-scale hydro power project. Thank you, Madam Chair.
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Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake
Thanks, Madam Chair. Rather than eat the clock up here, can I get a commitment, then, from the Minister to share some more information about what that project is all about and whether there are any other mini hydro projects or work being done in the other Tlicho communities? Thank you, Madam Chair.
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Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. That's a yes. The ADM did speak about one of the projects. The other one we can share information on is the Whati transmission line that is happening, as well. There are some projects that are taking place that the department will be able to provide an update as to where we are at with them. Thank you.
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Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake
Thanks, Madam Chair. I appreciate that commitment from the Minister. The Whati transmission line, though, has nothing to do with mini hydro. It's about bringing Snare power over to Whati at what I feel is an exorbitant cost. For the same cost, we could actually build mini hydro in three of the Tlicho communities and make them energy self-sufficient, but we will have that discussion later. Just a couple more clean-up questions if I can. My colleague from Deh Cho asked about research and development. Can someone confirm whether there is actually any research and development capacity within the Department of Infrastructure for biomass? Thank you, Madam Chair.
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Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. Some of the things that we are doing for alternative renewable energy research is funding used for academic leading-edge research and development of push technology, but without going any further, that's as much as I know on research and development. I will ask ADM Jenkins to see if he can give further information on R and D. Thank you.
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Jenkins
Thank you, Madam Chair. Yes, we do have engineers, and we have some smart people in the division. They do a lot of work. As an early adopter and now a leader in the use of biomass for heating across the territory, we have actually been contacted by territorial and provincial agencies in terms of our expert technical input into projects in other jurisdictions. Thank you, Madam Chair.
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Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake
Thanks, Madam Chair. Wow, I actually got through all of my questions. I want to thank the Minister and her staff for responding fairly quickly. I just wanted to note for the record that we have a wood-pellet boiler system, as well, in our home. When we put it in, it was $35,000. The prices have gone up significantly, but it is a big cost. We actually have hoppers on the outside of the house, and it's delivered pneumatically. With pressure, they can blow the pellets into hoppers, and you don't have to load the individual bags in. It's a big benefit that way, especially when you're an old guy. We need more money to do wood pellets, but even more importantly, wood chips. You are not going to get wood pellets in the off-road communities, and we have to look at technology that allows for wood chips to be used. That's my pitch to try to get the Minister and her staff to do some more work on wood chips and biomass, in general. That's all I've got. Thanks, Madam Chair.
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Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
I will take that as a comment, and I thank the Member for sharing that. It's really good to hear that people are doing this on their own. Thank you.