Thank you, Madam Chair. I move that Bill 48 be amended by deleting clause 77 and the heading immediately preceding clause 77. Thank you
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
In the Legislative Assembly on October 25th, 2022. See this topic in context.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4802
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4802
The Chair Lesa Semmler
The motion is on the floor and being distributed. The motion is in order. To the motion.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4802
Some Hon. Members
Question.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4802
The Chair Lesa Semmler
Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? All those abstaining? Motion is carried.
---Carried
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4802
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4802
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4802
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4803
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4803
The Chair Lesa Semmler
Does the committee agree that Bill 48, Arbitration Act, is now ready for third reading as amended?
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4803
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4803
The Chair Lesa Semmler
Thank you, committee. Does the committee agree that this conclude our consideration of Bill 48, Arbitration Act?
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4803
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4803
The Chair Lesa Semmler
Thank you, Minister, and thank you to your witnesses. Sergeant-at-arms, please escort the witnesses from the Chamber.
Committee, we've agreed to consider Tabled Document 723-19(2), Capital Estimates 2023-2024. Committee, we will now consider the Department of Infrastructure.
Does the Minister of Infrastructure wish to bring witnesses into the Chamber?
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4803
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4803
The Chair Lesa Semmler
Thank you. Sergeant-at-arms, please escort the witnesses into the Chamber.
Minister, would you please introduce your witnesses.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4803
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I have with me my deputy minister, Steve Loutitt. And I also have my ADM for asset management, David Moore.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4803
The Chair Lesa Semmler
Thank you, welcome. The committee has agreed to forego general comments. Does the committee agree to proceed to the detail contained in the tabled document?
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4803
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4803
The Chair Lesa Semmler
Committee, the Department of Infrastructure begins on page 52. We will defer the departmental totals and review the estimates by activity summary beginning at page 53 with asset management, and there is information items on page 54 and 55.
Infrastructure, asset management with infrastructure investment, $82,792,000. MLA Great Slave.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4803
Katrina Nokleby Great Slave
Thank you, Madam Chair. I'm just curious to know for the Frank Channel Bridge if we can get an update on where we're at for that -- oh, sorry, just curious to know given that the life expectancy of the bridge is up in 2024, we don't have the luxury of waiting if this project gets delayed any further, so if I could get an update that would be great. Thank you.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4803
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4803
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, the GNWT continued to collaborate with Tlicho government to ensure that we have local employment. We also are looking at working with the federal government to continue the bridge. It's a project that is funded under the National Trades Corridors Fund.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4803
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4803
Katrina Nokleby Great Slave
Thank you for that. Sorry, I just -- okay, maybe I can rephrase. When do we expect to hear a decision on whether or not the additional funding has been awarded for that project? Thank you.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4803
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4803
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. I'm going to ask Mr. Moore to give an update on where we're at. He's the guy in charge with all of our federal engagements. Thanks.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4803
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4803
Moore
Thank you, Madam Chair. We continue to work with the federal government Department of Transportation, working with them on their National Trade Corridor Fund. We're awaiting a decision from Transport Canada on recent increases, inflationary increases to materials. We're also working with the Tlicho government on next step with respect to a progressive design build process. We're anticipating a decision from the federal government very shortly, within the next month, and at that time we'll be continuing the next steps with the Tlicho on the progressive design build. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4803
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4803
Katrina Nokleby Great Slave
Great, that's amazing, and I will hope to hear that news when it gets received by the department and shared with the rest of us. I think that's great.
I guess I have a question on around escalating costs around our road contracts. Considering that the supply chain is within Northwest Territories itself, can the Minister of the department speak about how why we're seeing such huge increases in our budgeting for these projects given that, really, it's gravel and dirt that's already here in the territory. Thank you.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4804
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4804
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, inflation is a growing national and international concern. So Infrastructure continues to monitor the impacts of inflation by commodity prices as well as construction materials as we find realistic ways to be able to adjust these rising costs of capital projects that are critical for the Northwest Territories' economic development as well as our residents. Madam Chair, I'm going to see if Mr. Moore wants to add anything further. Thank you.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4804
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4804
Moore
Thank you, Madam Chair. As the Minister mentioned, inflationary impacts are impacting ourselves and actually all jurisdictions in North America, not only due to material increases but affects to the supply chain that we're seeing as supply chain issues on materials as well as talent. And the talent shortages and materials are affecting all projects across the spectrum, including in the territory here, which we're responding to accordingly. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4804
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4804
Katrina Nokleby Great Slave
Thank you, Madam Chair. I guess I'd like to keep on the conversation about roads and can the Minister or the department speak to what is the reconstruction work on the Inuvik to Tuk Highway, and how much is that going to cost this year? Thank you.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4804
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4804
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, we have engaged with the federal government on the Inuvik-Tuk Highway. It's the Kilometre Zero to Tuk 139. There's, you know, a number of potholes. There's loose gravel, soft shoulders. So I mean, these require additional annual program to be able to protect this investment. You know, everyone's aware how much money we spent to build the Inuvik-Tuk Highway. So we have an application for the ongoing rehabilitation of the Tuk that is consistent with some of the other highways. These sections include some of the rising of the low profile sections, the culvert rehabilitations, ponding, erosions. So these are a number of things that we are working with the feds to be able to look at the application and perhaps hopefully get some funding announced soon. Thank you.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4804
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4804
Katrina Nokleby Great Slave
Thank you. So from listening to that I hear that we don't have -- like, or I didn't hear an amount; how much money was that? Thank you.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4804
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4804
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Yes, thank you, Madam Chair. David wants to speak further to that, thanks.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4804
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4804
Moore
Thank you, Madam Chair. We continue to work with the federal government on ongoing challenges with ITH, as the Minister mentioned. We're anticipating having tenders for rehabilitation work in the spring of 2023. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4804
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4804
Katrina Nokleby Great Slave
Thank you. I will follow up to get the amount of that work, I guess, since nobody seems to have that number right now.
My next question then is around -- oh jeez, where did it go -- I'm losing my mind here. The community access road improvements. Thank you.
So under the community access plan, that is my understanding that money is directly into the communities themselves to work on their own projects, which is always a great thing in my opinion. Can the Minister or the department speak more to what projects this entails and whether or not they're going to put more money into that program? Thank you.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4804
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4805
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, the community access program is a really successful program because it starts to, you know, work with communities in some of the work around some of the planning and design for access roads. So right now in plan for 2023-2024, where this budget is concerned, we have some embankment work, surface improvements, drainage improvements, the -- that's more leaning to some of the specific projects. So that's just one example of some of the projects that we have going on. Thanks, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4805
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4805
Katrina Nokleby Great Slave
Thank you, Madam Chair. I don't think that my question was answered there about what projects those are. Like, maybe I guess the better way to ask is which communities are those projects in and how much is that? Thank you.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4805
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4805
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I can get back to the Member. That's not really specific to some of the capital stuff that we have so I can respond back to the Member with some specific projects that are more operational. Thank you.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4805
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4805
Katrina Nokleby Great Slave
Yes, thank you. Any information that can be provided I would appreciate it. I want to just talk about the Great Bear River Bridge planning. I remember bidding on this project in 2018, and I'm sitting here now, four years later, and it's not progressing very much. I know that there has been work done but I'm hearing from the communities that the engagement has not been very great and that they're concerned that there's going to be a loss of this money and work outside of the territory. Can the Minister or the department speak a little bit more about what this entails under the planning. Thank you.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4805
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4805
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, some of the planned work for the Great Bear River Bridge includes obtaining regulatory permits. We have a tender award construction contract. Camp, site access construction, granular material, bridge foundation, fabrication of geo and engineering services. So we are looking at some of the scoping for this work and also working with the communities as well to ensure that we get community engagement because this is a really important project. It'll be the second biggest bridge here in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4805
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4805
Katrina Nokleby Great Slave
Thank you, Madam Chair. And I'm hoping that one day I get to walk across that bridge while I can still walk.
My next question is around deferred maintenance. So when we look at these amounts here, is this to actually bring down our costs of deferred maintenance as in to start tackling the overall amounts, or is this just sort of a keeping up with the Band-Aid solutions? Thank you.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4805
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4805
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, deferred maintenance is the practice of postponing prudent but nonessential maintenance activities and our repairs to some of our capital infrastructure in order to save some of the costs. So some of the projects in the work plan, we look at things like some of the funding is based on maintenance priorities with 20 percent of major asset inventory. We also, at a minimum, assets to be inspected once every five years. So we do have a plan. I'm going to see if David wanted to speak a little bit more about some of the program. Thanks.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4805
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4805
Moore
Thank you, Madam Chair. Most definitely we continue to work away at the critical aspects of our deferred maintenance backlog. It's not a dollar for dollar allocation. It's important to recognize that. An example would be the demolition of HH Williams. You know, we would have put a few million towards demolition of that facility but it would bring down the deficit of deferred maintenance by significantly more than that. So it's very much leveraging work like that and also building new assets. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4805
The Chair Lesa Semmler
Thank you. Any other questions, comments from Members under asset management? Member for Hay River South.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4806
Rocky Simpson Hay River South
Thank you, Madam Chair. I guess I heard the Minister once mention -- we were talking about highways, and she had mentioned that it's kind of -- our highways are kind of graded on a comfort level, I think, and she said something like four out of ten is what we look at which, I guess, isn't all that great. And when I look at the highway system here in the territories, you know, anything that had pavement on it, we're chip sealing. So I guess I'd like to know from the department is at any point do we look at the -- or do we compare the chip seal to actually paving and what would be the cost benefit, I guess, of one or the other and -- because I guess what I -- when I'm in Alberta, you can see the highways. When the drive through the highway systems, it's paved, and they're a lot nicer and they seem to stand up. So I'm just wondering why we spend so much on -- or we spend our time on chip sealing and not paving. Thank you.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4806
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4806
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, every year we invest a lot of money into some of our road infrastructure, things like chip seal for an example. And I think you're well aware of that very well. I'm going to see if David can speak. We've got a table here of all the work that we have planned for the 2023 and a list of all the different work by region. So I'll get David to perhaps summarize that because we're not going to be reading three pages of a big list of things we're doing. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4806
The Chair Lesa Semmler
Thank you. Just to go back, I think the question was are chip sealing versus pavement, why are we going from replacing pavement to chip seal; is there a cost?
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4806
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4806
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4806
Moore
Thank you, Madam Chair. Yes, very much we work with other jurisdictions and the Transportation Association of Canada looking at road standards, and utilizing that with respect to our traffic counts here in the territory, optimizing the work we need per highway based on the usage and the life cycle of our roads.
As the Minister alluded to, there's significant work planned for 2023-2024 on a number of our highways. I won't read the three pages but there is significant chip sealing we're looking at next year to maintain the quality and integrity and safety of our roads and highways. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4806
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4806
Rocky Simpson Hay River South
Thank you, Madam Chair. I guess the other is drainage and culverts. We've had a number of washouts because of high water, and I'm just wondering, I guess, have we, I guess, assessed all the culverts along the highway to see if they meet standards, because it seems like, you know, this last couple years we've been having a frequent number of washouts and the amount of water coming down, the culverts just can't handle them. Thank you.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4806
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4806
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, you know, we've had a number of concerns along a lot of our highways in terms of flooding, the impacts, and the costs associated with getting these fixed. I'm going to see if David can speak a little more further on that. Thank you.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4806
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4806
Moore
Thank you, Madam Chair. As the Minister mentioned, the impacts of climate change are certainly a reality with respect to the resilience of our infrastructure, and culverts and bridges are very much in that category. Our team inspect all culverts and bridges regularly, every three years, to maintain -- ensure that they're functioning and operating within proper norms. That being said, there is quite a bit of work that needs to be done and is being done to maintain those culverts. In the case of the ones that have been impacted very much, we're looking at those to ensure that they align with the national standards. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4806
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4806
Rocky Simpson Hay River South
Thank you, Madam Chair. And aligning I guess with the Canadian standards, do we have anything in-house with respect to standards and design criteria for culverts and drainage in the Northwest Territories? Thank you.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4806
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4806
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, yes, we do. We have staff that does all that work. But I'm going to get David to just speak a little more in detail on some of the great work that we're able to do internally. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4806
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4807
Moore
Thank you, Madam Chair. Definitely we do, an amazing team looking at all our assets. We actually align to some of the best standards in Canada through the Ontario bridge standards, for example. We're also doing a climate change vulnerability assessment review of all our assets working with our sister departments, including culverts. So thank you, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4807
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4807
Rocky Simpson Hay River South
Thank you, Madam Chair. Just looking at the work that's going to be done on the highway, I notice that, I guess -- and it might be there somewhere but I don't see, I guess Highways 2, 4, 5, and 6 on there. And I guess my concern is probably more so Hay River, which is Highway 2, about Kilometre 42 to 48, which is in dire need of work. Can the Minister tell me if that's included in work for this coming summer? Thank you.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4807
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4807
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. I don't believe the work is planned for that. I'm looking at my deputy minister here for that. Thank you.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4807
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4807
Loutitt
Thank you, Madam Chair. That is correct, at this point there's no plans for that area. We are doing maintenance on several different sections of roads on all of our highways. But we have prioritized the major projects and the areas most in need of repairs at this point. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4807
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4807
Rocky Simpson Hay River South
Thank you, Madam Chair. Yeah, I guess, you know, when we look at the traffic corridor, you know, traffic coming in from the south, heavy trucks, we're looking at Highway No. 1, and then if it's barge traffic, it's coming in to Hay River and, you know, we have quite a few corners there, we have no shoulders. So is there anything, I guess, in the works to look at maybe road straightening as well as road widening on either -- well, I guess from the border all the way into Hay River? Thank you.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4807
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4807
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I'm going to ask Mr. Moore if he can speak a little --
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4807
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4807
Moore
Thank you, Madam Chair. Most definitely, Highway No. 1, we are looking at from near the border up to Hay River. We've examined that highway very closely. As the deputy mentioned, we are prioritizing our dollars to the areas of greatest need, which in the case of Highway No. 2, for example, would be from Kilometre Zero to 42, with the work being planned for the summer of 2023. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4807
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4807
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4807
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4807
Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North
Thank you, Madam Chair. I guess I'll start with some comments that I find the capital plan estimates to be one of the unworkable documents ever, and I get that first and foremost it is a Finance document, not an Infrastructure document. But as an example, we require every municipality to have asset management plans -- we are trying to get them all to have asset management plans. And they're great documents. They tell you the total replacement cost of every single asset they own. They kind of give you a timeline for construction. And I know the department has a lot of stuff in-house. You know, obviously we know some information about deferred maintenance and we have some long-term capital planning, but none of that is public. The only public thing we have is this document that doesn't tell you the price of any project, doesn't tell you the timeline for construction, doesn't tell you whether it's on budget, doesn't tell you what we're planning to do beyond a specific fiscal. So I'm just wondering if the department has any plans to create some sort of asset management plan for the GNWT? Thank you.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4807
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4807
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I think the Member will be happy to know that, yes, we are looking at something a little more transparent, and it's going to be called the dashboard. We are working on it now. Hopefully get it online by the fall. So I think that's great news. It'll be out in the public like the Member's asked. Thank you.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4807
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4808
Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North
Well, I feel like I don't have any more questions other than waiting to see this dashboard. I'm very, very excited about that. I guess -- well, I'm going to ask some questions about this potential dashboard.
I know that a lot of jurisdictions publish a five-year capital plan where it kind of breaks down what's being spent over five years and the year to year amount and kind of what's in the future. We don't presently do that. We don't presently even say how much we're spending in an individual year. Is that the kind of information I could expect in this dashboard? Thank you.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4808
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4808
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, you know, there's a lot of work that's being put into this to get it off the ground in the fall. But further to that, I'm just going to have Mr. Moore speak a little more detail as he's looking after the project. So I will give him the opportunity to be able to share with the committee on some of the great work that's happening. Thank you.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4808
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4808
Moore
Thank you, Madam Chair. As the Minister mentioned, there's a lot of moving parts to this. We have a lot of great systems that track the asset conditions of different assets. For example, we track bridges and bridge conditions. We also track vertical infrastructure. And you're they're using different systems in different ways and different metrics. And so putting that all together into one dashboard is a complex process. Our plan is, by the fall of 2023, to have a public dashboard which demonstrates the status of our assets that folks can see over time. But we're still working through the details on that, Madam Chair. So more to come. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4808
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4808
Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North
Thank you. I'm happy to hear that. I guess I believe that dashboard will address a lot of the concerns I have about, you know, trying to find some public information on asset management planning, deferred maintenance, kind of where we're at with that money. But I'm not sure it'll necessarily address the other concern I have which is that there's a fear that if we publicly state the cost of any project before tender in this House it's going to obstruct the tendering process. So the document I'm looking at right now doesn't tell us the cost of anything we are voting on. And I'm just wondering if the department has any intention to make some of that more public. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4808
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4808
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, the Member's correct; I mean, we don't share detail about some of our tendering process in any of our projects. But, I mean, we would be able to share what we can publicly so it just doesn't skew the whole mess -- the information that we provide publicly. So I want to make sure that we share what we can so that people can just have a look at that. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4808
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4808
Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North
Yeah, thank you, Madam Chair. And I think where I find this especially frustrating is sometimes it's public. The Minister released a news release saying the Frank Channel Bridge cost $50 million, and we got 75 dollars from ICIP, and then, you know, that happens, and now I look at that -- you know, I heard the Minister say that, you know, we're going through this process and we're going to work with Tlicho, but it's not now clear to me whether that $50 million is a true number and whether we're actually going to be higher. So, you know, I think once it's definitely some sort of public announcement is made, making sure that we keep track of that, would be very helpful. So I guess another way, do we have an updated cost of the Frank Channel Bridge beyond -- is it more than $50 million which was already announced? Thank you.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4808
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4808
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. I'm going to get the deputy minister to speak about, you know, some of the information we can and can't share because we -- it's federal funding as well so we need that engagement. Thank you.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4808
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4809
Loutitt
Thank you, Madam Chair. The Minister is correct. There's certain figures that we can share, and there are oftentimes more of a global figure and in line with what we're getting from a federal contribution. Bear in mind that those costs are not specific for the entire project. They're broken down into department and to engineering and to getting water licenses and the planning and engagement with our Indigenous partners and such so it's more of a global number. But we do share the numbers in confidence with committee, and we continue to do that. But for -- to keep in line with the procurement process, we keep those numbers confidential. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4809
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
October 25th, 2022
Page 4809
Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North
Yeah, thank you. I guess I'll try and get some numbers out of the department. I'm going to ask about the Slave Geological All-Weather environmental assessment and planning, which I -- we're going to do -- I see that it's been changed to finish planning for 2027-2028 for the first phase to Lockhart Lake. I also see that there's some federal money there. I'm not sure that the procurement concern applies so much to planning. I can kind of not really understand it for, you know, the actual building, but is someone willing to tell me how much we are going to spend on planning and how much money we got from the federal government for a section of the Slave Geological Province Corridor? Thank you.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4809
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4809
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, the deputy minister responsible for that project is coming up next but I'm going to give it a shot to ensure that we have some information out there perhaps.
So planning and engagement is underway to be able to advance this project. You know, we are looking at a target of late 2024. You know, the IGOs have been engaged through the summer and discussions about collaboration work continue. What are some -- some of the planned work that are -- that is happening is the environmental and geotechnical fieldwork as well as some Indigenous knowledge studies. We continue to engage with Indigenous governments, participation. This is a $40 million project that was announced, and it is 75/25. And as my deputy minister pointed out, that, you know, we probably won't go into detail. There are a number of factors that take up this amount of money so the -- thank you, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4809
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4809
Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North
Yeah, thank you. Okay, I'm glad to hear -- well, I don't know if I'm glad to hear but I heard a number. We're spending $40 million on the planning. Sorry, but I heard the Minister say estimated completion 2024, and then I'm looking at the page 55, and it says 2027-2028 so can I just -- for environmental assessment and planning, when can we expect completion for the first phase to Lockhart Lake? Thank you.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4809
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4809
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, yes, that is correct. That's the estimate time to be completed, 2027. But, however, the planning work for the environmental and geotech fieldwork is continuing so some of that work will continue up to 2023-2024.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4809
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4809
Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North
Thank you. I'll just ask one more question that illustrates my frustration with the lack of transparency. I hear we're spending $40 million. Well, maybe it won't be frustrate me, but can someone tell me how much you're presently asking for or how much we plan to spend in this next fiscal? I can't see how that has any affect on procurement for me to know how much money you're presently asking the Assembly for. Thank you.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4809
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4809
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, the project is in a five-development phase. So phase 1 are some of the environmental planning that's funded under NTCF. So some of the federal funding is allocated to that. So I mean, some of the other stuff is very confidential because we still need to go out and do that work. But I want the Member to know that, you know, each different phases are funded. Thanks.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4809
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4809
Richard Edjericon Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh
Yeah, thank you, Madam Chair. I'm just looking -- just going through this budget here and understanding it.
This budget you're proposing, you're putting forward, you talking -- you look at your energy -- our project listing and that kind of thing. Does this cover winter roads as well, Madam Chair? Thank you.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4809
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4809
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. No, this process does not cover that. That comes through some our operational maintenance. Thank you.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4810
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4810
Richard Edjericon Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh
Thank you, Madam Chair. I guess what I'm just thinking is that, you know, we had a -- we got a budget of almost $2.2 billion, and in my riding we have 1.7 percent of the overall budget but yet in the South Slave Region, on the map here that I'm looking at, it says it's -- you know, we got 15 percent of overall costing but yet when I look at this, it doesn't cover off Fort Resolution, Dettah, N'dilo, or Lutselk'e. So I guess I'm wondering, like how do I, like, in Fort Resolution, we need chip seal in the community. They've been asking for that. And the question is when can we have that discussion, and maybe with the municipality is there something we could do there? Thank you, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4810
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4810
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I can work with the Minister of MACA to be able to discuss some of the municipal roads and stuff. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4810
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4810
Richard Edjericon Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh
Yeah, thank you, Madam Chair. And thank you for that. Now that -- what I was thinking is that when I take a look at all the winter roads right now here in the Northwest Territories, we got Colville Lake, we got Deline, we got Gameti, Nahanni Butte, Norman Wells, Sombaa K'e, Tulita, Wekweeti, Whati, Wrigley to -- Wrigley to Tulita, then we got Aklavik, and we got Dettah ice road. But yet, you know, we have the -- in Lutselk'e, we have an isolated community. You know, we have no means of transportation other than air and boat during the summer. There's no winter roads. And the community's been asking for a way to look at the high cost of living. And I just want to know if there's a way we could start really engaging with the chief and council, now that they have one in place now where the chief is James Marlowe, because they want to see a winter road as early as even this winter. But I know there's probably a process in place, or I just want to know if there's a way we could talk about that. Thank you.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4810
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4810
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, within -- you know, within our Cabinet and with our department, we engage with the Indigenous groups to have a look at some of the things that we can do; however, I do want to assure the Member that we can talk off line to be able to have further discussions with the Indigenous group and how we can all work together. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4810
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4810
Richard Edjericon Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh
Yeah, thank you, Madam Chair. And if I could -- so that sounds like a commitment. And if we could, I wouldn't mind asking the Minister if she's willing to come to Lutselk'e maybe sometime in November to have that discussion with the community and council. Mahsi.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4810
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4810
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, between my office and department, we can work with the Member and the community to see what our schedules for the next month or so or perhaps, you know, seeing -- it's kind of difficult to be able to commit to a time when we need to engage with schedules as well. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4810
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4810
Richard Edjericon Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh
Yeah, thank you very much, Madam Chair, and I appreciate that. I am looking forward to work with the Minister in trying to figure out some dates and do what we can just to accommodate the community of Lutselk'e to see what we can do to bring in the new winter road probably on an ongoing basis, anything to help out the high cost of living in that community. Having said that, though, and I guess that -- I'm assuming that the discussion will also happen with the community of Fort Resolution and MACA and together I'm assuming. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4810
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4810
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, absolutely. Again, I mentioned we'll look at our schedule, be able to see what time everybody has and start to have those discussions. Thank you.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4810
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4811
Richard Edjericon Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh
Thank you, Madam Chair. While we're having that same discussion, I guess I'm just wondering maybe we could also maybe plan to meet with the chief and council for YKDFN as well to take a look at maybe some of their needs and requirements as well maybe. If the Minister, if her and I could probably meet with chief and council just to -- in sometime, depending on her schedule, just to talk about some of these other capital projects. Mahsi.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4811
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4811
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, absolutely. I mean, we have these discussions. It could be, you know, a phone call. It could be something -- you know, we can schedule a sit down, and again, we'll look at our schedule. But I'm happy to work with the Member. I think, you know, that's important to get the MLAs, the Indigenous groups, all sit down at a table and to be able to have meaningful discussions. I mean, you look at some of the work the Indigenous groups and the work with the government, perhaps we can go to the feds with one planned approach to be able to look at funding options for some work that's happening in the communities. And it's always good to see the Indigenous groups engage in that process. So I'd be happy to work with the Member. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4811
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4811
Richard Edjericon Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh
Thank you, Madam Chair. And as well, the Minister, if she could probably work with our -- the, some of the other -- I guess in this case the Minister of Finance to see if we get her on side as well because we did have a meeting with her a few weeks ago in trying to talk about this winter road. So I'm looking forward to work with all of you. I'm trying to make something happen. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4811
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4811
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I think that's -- you know, Minister of Finance and I work together on many different projects. I mean, this is a whole-of-government approach. It's not individual departments working in silos to be able to get some of these projects going. So Minister Wawzonek and I have several different major projects that we work together on. So thank you.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4811
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4811
Richard Edjericon Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh
I just want -- one more question, I guess, and I'm done. I just want to see a smile on her face so that I could get my winter road this year. Thank you, Madam. Just a statement. Mahsi.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4811
The Chair Lesa Semmler
I'll take it as a statement. And she's smiling. All right. Any further questions, comments under Infrastructure, asset management? Member for Monfwi.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4811
Jane Weyallon Armstrong Monfwi
Thank you. With reference to Whati transmission line, the completion date is 2026-2027. Can we get an update and the estimate cost of the project? Thank you.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4811
The Chair Lesa Semmler
That's under the next section. On asset management we're on. You'll be first for the next section, okay.
Are there any further questions under asset management from Members? All right, seeing none, Infrastructure, asset management, infrastructure investment, $82,792,000; does committee agree?
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4811
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4811
The Chair Lesa Semmler
Committee please turn to page 56, energy and strategic initiatives with information items on page 57. Member for Monfwi.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4811
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4811
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4811
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4811
The Chair Lesa Semmler
Yes. Sergeant-at-arms, please escort the witness out and bring the new witness in.
Please introduce your witness for the record.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4811
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, still with me is my deputy minister Steve Loutitt, but added to my table here is my assistant deputy minister for energy and strategic initiatives Robert Jenkins.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4811
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4812
Jane Weyallon Armstrong Monfwi
We know that when this access -- Whati transmission line goes through, we know that it's going to lower the cost of electricity in the community. So I know Gameti were expressing interest as well. They wanted to see if it is possible to extend the Whati transmission line on to Gameti and from there to the Snare Hydro. I did ask that question before. Is there any way that we can, you know, include Gameti, you know, to extend the Whati transmission line to Gameti and then, you know -- because they want to have -- they want to have the same benefit as Whati. So that was their interest. That's what they expressed. So I just wanted to ask about that if it is possible. But I know Tlicho government probably already talked to you guys about it so I'm just asking.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4812
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4812
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, so one of the projects that we are looking at in Gameti -- well, first of all, I think I heard a couple questions in there, but one of them was the Whati transmission line and some of the work going forward. You know, we are looking at estimation completion date, if everything goes well, in 2026-2027. So we are still in the early planning stages of the Whati transmission line, including consultation, engineering, environmental scoping. So that work is still underway. We have an agreement signed with the Tlicho government to be able to undertake most of this work. So that's the Member's first question. And I do want to just mention for the Gameti, we are looking at mini hydro. And if I can just have Mr. Jenkins speak a little bit more about the project there. Thanks.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4812
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4812
Jenkins
Thank you, Madam Chair. So as the Minister mentioned, for the Whati T-line next year, we're doing some work with the Tlicho government right now on the routing for that project and hope to be available to advance that to a decision point of whether we pursue federal funding for that project.
In Gameti, we've been looking at a mini hydro study there. We did update some pre-feasibility work in June of this year. And it does look like there is sufficient water available to meet the community power needs.
So in terms of our planned work for next fiscal year, we're going to continue with some of the technical studies in the planning and move that forward -- that project forward in conjunction with the Tlicho government. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4812
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4812
Jane Weyallon Armstrong Monfwi
Yeah, thank you. I did say it before, we all know the mine will be closing soon and there's going to be an influx of mine workers without jobs. So we did say that -- and I note Tlicho government or Gameti were expressing interest in that as well to have all-season road. And so -- because there's going to be a lot of workers with class 4, class 3, or heavy equipment operator. So they did ask about that. So I just want to ask the Minister if that plan is in place as well, you know, for future discussions and if there's any studies done on it and how much would it cost.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4812
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4812
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, that's not in the plan right now to proceed with that work. Yes, you know, that's -- do you want to add something further? If I can, deputy minister.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4812
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4812
Loutitt
Thank you, Madam Chair. The MLA is correct that, you know, with the diamond mines closing, there does need to be plans for additional work to sustain and help the economy along. We have some large projects that are, you know, in different areas in the North Slave and up through the Slave Geological Province is one of them and the Mackenzie Valley. These projects create opportunities for employment for the communities. And until such time said mines is -- as we know the Slave Geological Province Road goes into one of the most mineral rich areas of the world and will create mining opportunities. And in the interim, that would be the construction phase would create those jobs at that point. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4812
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4813
Jane Weyallon Armstrong Monfwi
Thank you. Thank you for the information. Yes, I know -- well, the all-season road and the elders were saying that there is a route, an existing route, an old road from 20, 30 years ago. So they were saying that it's going to be a lot -- the planning, and it should be a lot easier. This is what they were saying. So it is possible. So I just wanted to ask if it's not part of the plan, can we put it -- make it part of the plan because with the high cost of living and the people are expressing frustration because with the fuel price going up and everything is flying in and diesel are being used for energy source. So I think they are -- it's hard -- everybody is experiencing financial hardship. It's not just in Tlicho communities but in all the small communities, especially within the fly-in communities so that is why I was expressing that if we can make it part of the plan, you know, because once the diamond mines close, not everybody's going to be working on the proposed project as you just mentioned. Thank you.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4813
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4813
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, before I turn it over to my deputy minister to speak a little bit more about some of the alignment that's happened in the past, but I mean, you know, we are happy to have that discussion to be able to talk about it. Doesn't necessarily mean it's going to get done and put on our capital list but, I mean, we'd be happy to be able -- to again work with the Indigenous group, have that discussion, work with the MLA, and, you know, find a place to be able to at some point perhaps get it on the books. If I can, Madam Chair, get deputy minister Loutitt to speak a little bit more about some of the past on the project. Thanks.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4813
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4813
Loutitt
Thank you, Madam Chair. Again, I agree with the MLA. I think that, you know, should we have a project come forward of this magnitude, I think that's something that we would definitely have to be working with our Indigenous partners and looking at gaining that traditional knowledge and the local knowledge of the landscape. We shouldn't be making those decisions without working with the communities. So if there is an alignment when it comes down to that phase, we would certainly be working with the community members and with the elders to determine the best course. But, and as the Minister noted, we -- it isn't on the books at this point but it certainly, you know, could become a mandate item in the future. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4813
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4813
Jane Weyallon Armstrong Monfwi
Yes, thank you. Yes, I know that nothing can be done without consulting, you know, with any -- so you have to do a lot of -- there's lots involved, I am aware of that with planning to have this project, if it ever gets approved or, you know, if it ever gets on the agenda. So I am aware of that. And the deputy minister did mention North Slave region, you know. Here I keep saying it, we're not part of North Slave region. It would be nice, you know, just to identify the Tlicho region itself, then I would -- we would really know what is being, you know -- what are the projects that's going to be -- you know, it's going to be worked on in Tlicho region itself. Here 20 percent in North Slave region. So it would be nice, maybe Minister of Finance can change that later on that, you know, with the -- or with Infrastructure. But it's just that it would be nice to -- for all the departments to recognize Tlicho region. We are not part of North Slave region because this is a bit misleading, and it's mostly Yellowknife, you know. So I just wanted to say that to make note of that if -- for future planning or future projects or anything like that, I would like to see Tlicho region, not North Slave region, then I will really know what is being proposed or what is being planned for my region. Thank you.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4813
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4813
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, throughout this whole process here, I've heard the Member speak about having a separate region. It is a whole-of-government approach. So it's not just me as Minister of Infrastructure that could separate all the capital by making up a region, so it is a government approach. And I'm sure that this is something our Cabinet -- or we can have that discussion on. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4813
The Chair Lesa Semmler
Thank you. Time is up. Are there any further questions, comments? Member for Yellowknife North.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4813
Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North
Can someone just give me an update on the Fort Simpson LNG plant and whether that is on time and on budget for 2025-2026 completion?
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4813
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4813
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. So the planning for the Fort Simpson LNG project, so right now the project is on track but the flooding that happened in 2021 has caused some major delays. So after the flooding, we identified ongoing erosion area, the project scope was reevaluated and revised to be able to include relocating the existing diesel power plant. So the assessment work continues in this regard, including a climate lens cost estimation work and ultimately federal supports will be required to be able to move in project forward and help mitigate any potential rate impacts.
And if I can, Madam Chair, I'd just if, I can get Mr. Jenkins to just speak a little bit further on where we're at right now. I'm just trying to give you a high-level overview on what we're doing. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4814
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4814
Jenkins
Thank you, Madam Chair. So as the Minister mentioned after the spring 2021 flooding, really the project scope has been reevaluated and revised and recombined this with the relocation of the existing diesel power plant in the community, that project. So we continue to work with the Power Corporation in 2023-2024. We're going to continue to do that assessment work to combine those two projects together. And obviously we'll have to look at the costs and what the costs would be for combining those projects together, and then putting together a federal funding application for that work. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4814
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4814
Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North
Yeah, thank you. I guess I heard that -- well, there's two projects here and now they're going to be put together, and I get there was some relocation due to flooding and we actually haven't secured federal funding I heard yet. So can I just get -- 2025-2026 seems pretty ambitious to build a whole new LNG plant that we don't have money for yet. So is that timeline realistic? Thank you.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4814
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4814
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. I'm going to ask Mr. Jenkins to speak a little bit more in detail about the timelines. Thank you.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4814
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4814
Jenkins
Thank you, Madam Chair. So we have received some ICIP, Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program funding for the Fort Simpson Liquefied Natural Gas Project. That was announced back in 2019. We've not put forward a funding application for the plant relocation project. So we're in a position now where, due to the recent events, we would be combining those projects. We feel it's best to combine those projects. And we would need to revisit our costs and apply for federal funding. That costing work and the climate lens work, which is a requirement in a lot of that federal funding applications, that work's underway. The climate lens work is a requirement. It did confirm that the current power plant location is at risk of flooding. I don't think that's a surprise to anyone. But we do have to jump through several hoops and provide the rationale for Canada in that regard.
I think that if we move forward with the funding application the following year, obviously we'll have to revisit the timing schedule. It is dependent on the equipment we need to order, the infrastructure we need to order, and the amount of time it takes to get that equipment. But in terms of permitting and other aspects, this is -- infrastructure's located within the municipal boundaries. So it doesn't have some of the same requirements as projects that are outside. So we do think that the timing could work at this point in time. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4814
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4814
Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North
Thank you. Is it possible to make an estimated cost for the Whati transmission line public yet? Thank you.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4814
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4814
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4814
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4814
Jenkins
Thank you, Madam Chair. So at this point in time we're working with the Tlicho government to do technical refresh study, and a part of that is determining the most optimal route. So accordingly the -- depending on the route, the length, the terrain, a number of different factors will come into play when we develop cost estimates. So unfortunately we would not have a cost estimate at this point in time. Once we do the updated routing, we'll have to go back and develop that updated cost estimate, which would support the federal funding application. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4814
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4814
Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North
Yeah, thank you. I'm just trying to understand what it means when a project in the capital plan has, you know, ICIP or one of the federal funding pots in it. Does that actually signify that there's been agreement to get that money? I mean, the Whati transmission line, I hear that once we have a route we will then apply to get federal money. But -- so is it just we put a bracket that that's the hope of the pot we will get out of, or is there actually a bit more of a commitment or some preliminary agreement that this would actually get funding? If I could understand what that means, thank you.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4814
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4815
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4815
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4815
Jenkins
Thank you, Madam Chair. So we do have a ten-year agreement with Canada, the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. There are a number of projects listed within that agreement in terms of no-show projects. But we still have to go back for each individual project, provide the information to Canada, including estimated costs and seek approval for each project. So the Whati transmission line would be a project that is listed no showing but it's not one for which we've formally applied and received approval from Canada, and we do not have a funding agreement for that project as of yet. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4815
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4815
Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North
Yeah, thank you, Madam Chair. I'm going to repeat myself a couple times but, you know, what kind of happens when we do capital estimates is we have a confidential briefing note that gives you a bit of an update, and then we ask question like such as can someone give us an update of what's going on here. And I get there's a debate about the total amount and procurement; I have made that clear. But could the Department of Infrastructure perhaps look at making some sort of public kind of updating that goes with each capital plan. I just find it frustrating that I have to ask what's going on with Fort Simpson LNG when I didn't hear anything there that had to be confidential. It seems fine to publish where we are at with each project as we ask for more money, even if we're not going to say how much money were asking for. But at least some facts to be included with the capital plan, would that be something the department would be willing to look into? Thank you.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4815
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4815
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I hear the Member's concern about, you know, having information here and there. And it looks like we perhaps need to go back to the department and have more of a streamlined communication on a lot of our projects. And I really think that once we get our dashboard online, it will have a one area to be able to go and look at different projects and where they're at and I think that would be helpful. We're not there yet. We understand the frustration from the Member, and trying to work to get this done. So give us -- be patient with us, we'll get there. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4815
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4815
Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North
Yeah, thank you. One last one which I will ask for an update of, because this is not public information. It says here that the Mackenzie Valley environmental assessment and planning for the highway will be completed in 2025-2026. We all know that that's been in environmental planning for far longer than any of us wanted. But I'm just wondering if that's realistic given what I've seen regarding the change in timelines for a number of sections of the road and the bridges that are currently under environmental assessment. Do we actually think we're going to get to the EA by 2025-2026; do we have any sort of update on that? Thank you.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4815
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4815
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, so that's our aim. We are looking at the Mackenzie Valley environmental assessment planning and to be able to look at the -- some of the work that's going forward, detailed environmental assessment planning work, the environmental baseline studies, traditional knowledge. There's a number of things. And I can go on. I probably should just let the Member know that work is progressing. We did receive some funding for some components on -- from the National Trade Corridors Fund. We have an MOU signed with the Sahtu Secretariat. We are discussing a MOU with the PKFN. We are anticipating our developers report to be submitted to the environmental review board by the end of this fiscal year and to get some of this work started. Some of the work that's planned for this year, however, is the submission of the developers assessment report, also to advance the project through environmental assessment. Thanks, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4815
The Chair Lesa Semmler
Thank you. Are there any further questions, comments under energy and strategic initiatives? Member for Nunakput.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4816
Jackie Jacobson Nunakput
No. Just in regards to the -- to the Tuk M18 natural gas well and the support that I guess we're having a little bit of issues with the federal government pushing it into review when it was -- it's a 71A land from Tuk, people of Tuk. And it's our land claim and it's our -- basically our right. So where does your government sit on this in regards and what are they doing to assist the Inuvialuit Development Corporation or Inuvialuit Regional Corporation and the community of Tuk in regards to this project and the holdup that we're having being pushed towards screening. Thank you.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4816
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4816
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, so we are -- the GNWT is supporting the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, and the partners, to be able to explore and develop the M18 natural gas well near Tuk and is a potential customer. And I think that's really important and key to know that we want this project going as much as we can, and I believe we continue to work with the Inuvialuit to support them in the plant. Thanks, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4816
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4816
Jackie Jacobson Nunakput
Thank you, Madam Chair. No, just in regards to Madam Minister that the GNWT do -- I guess did we talk to your federal counterparts in regards to seeing where they could go with this holdup in regards to put into screening? When it -- like, I'll argue again, I mean, it is a land claim and it's 71A lands. The people of Tuk own that land. And that land claim was signed in 1984. So why are they pushing it to screening and why is it going the way it's going when it shouldn't be with our federal government. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4816
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4816
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I hear the Member's concerns. You know, you look at the M18 well, this is -- I just want to note, like, the Department of Infrastructure's interest and the Northwest Territories Power Corporation interest is more of the customer side and looking at some of the conversions to be able to save us some work with the proponent on that. You know, right now, we don't really have much of a say to this. Maybe some other departments within GNWT -- and I'm seeing Minister of ITI nodding her head right now. So there are other departments involved. Right now we see it as part of Infrastructure more. We want to be a customer. We want to be able to have some conversion so that we can use the well to reduce some of our GHG. But all in all, Madam Chair, I really can't speak for the federal government in terms of them and their relationship with the Indigenous group. Thank you.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4816
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4816
Jackie Jacobson Nunakput
No, thank you, Madam Chair. Just in regards to -- I find a comment on that just, I guess we got to find a way in regards to seeing what the federal government's doing in regards to settled land claims holding up projects, putting it into screening. You know, it's -- if the Minister would I guess work with her colleagues and our Premier to take a look at that, to make sure that this -- this shouldn't be happening. And so if she could just commit to that. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4816
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4816
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I'm looking over at Cabinet and my colleagues over there, and I'm looking at Ministers shaking their head, and perhaps even Premier. This is something that, you know, we did talk about earlier about going to the feds with some of our priorities and just having discussions on where we're at with projects that we want to see going forward. So I mean, we will have that discussion within Cabinet. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4816
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4816
Rocky Simpson Hay River South
Thank you, Madam Chair. I just want to get an idea of, I guess, where we are with the Fort Providence transmission line, you know, where we are in the process. We got a target completion, I think, by 2024-2025. Can the Minister just provide me a quick update on that. Thank you.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4816
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4816
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, so looking at the transmission line, so we are conducting consultation engagement activities. We're doing the environmental studies, preparing a land use permit application. So I just want to note that to date we've had about 12 meetings held with Indigenous governments. 13 meetings have been held with stakeholders and some of the regulatory agencies. So the planned work that we have in this budget right now is to continue engagement consultation, submit our land use permit to be able to, yes, have those further discussions on pursuing this Fort Providence transmission line. Thank you.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4816
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4817
Rocky Simpson Hay River South
Thank you, Madam Chair. And with respect to I guess costing this project, do we have a preliminary cost, and are we -- and if we do, are we updating that as, yeah, I guess prices and availability of material becoming a problem? Thank you.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4817
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4817
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. So we did publicly announce a $60 million project for this, and it's under the ICIP program. So that was announced in 2021. Having said that, we do need to look as we go through some of the process of the planning, the environmental, submitting and preparing our permits, that we have to review costs and, you know, we've done that through infrastructure. With a lot of our projects we're finding, you know, get an announcement, and then we look at a project, we review the costs. So, I mean, it is something that perhaps it might not be $60 million in a year or two times. So I just want to be cognizant of that. Thanks, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4817
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4817
Rocky Simpson Hay River South
Thank you, Madam Chair. Yeah, I'm pleased to hear it might not be 60; it could be 40. Or will it be more like the windmill up in the Delta?
So anyways, I just want to move on here to Fort Simpson. And I -- and just looking at that, the relocation of the diesel plant and then the setting up the LNG plant, they're both slated for completion at the same time. I guess I'm trying to figure out is one of those plants going to be a backup and one kind of running main power, or what's going on there? Thank you.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4817
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4817
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. The Member is right, we are looking at the diesel plant relocation and also the liquefied natural gas. We are still scoping out. If I can have Mr. Jenkins speak a little bit more about the plans. Thank you.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4817
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4817
Jenkins
Thank you, Madam Chair. So we are still sort of looking at the combining of those projects but of course we're cognizant that you want to have a primary source of power and you want to have a backup source of power. So, you know, the project details itself, we were looking to convert -- move from diesel more to gas. A part of that is reducing our emissions, of course, and so -- but as we move forward here with combining these two, the power plant and the LNG, we're going to be cognizant of making sure there's primary and backup sources of power. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4817
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4817
Rocky Simpson Hay River South
Thank you, Madam Chair. With respect to moving, I guess relocating the diesel plant, will all the equipment be relocated, or will there be some major upgrades to it while, you know, this process goes on because I guess it makes sense to me that if there's any major changes that have to be made, any new equipment has to be put in, now's the time. Thank you.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4817
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4817
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. So right now we're looking at, and, you know, there will be an assessment done as well, but the LNG is new. We are looking at the relocation of the existing diesel power plant to higher ground, as we mentioned, to be eliminating the possibility of power in the community due to future flooding events. So that's where we're at right now. If Mr. Jenkins wants to add anything further. Thanks, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4817
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4817
Jenkins
Thank you, Madam Chair. So as the Minister mentioned, LNG is something new in the community, so there're new components there, of course. With the existing diesel infrastructure that is in the community, there had to be an assessment of whether there's a need to modernize that equipment. Is now the best time to do it? Is some of the equipment we have acceptable moving forward or not? Those are all things to be covered under the assessment as we scope out this project and pursue federal funding. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4817
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4817
Rocky Simpson Hay River South
Thank you, Madam Chair. I just want to go to the line diesel power plant, Infrastructure, territorial. Can the Minister just, I guess, provide me some insight into, you know, how many plants -- or, yeah, how many plants we're looking at and communities as well. Thank you.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4817
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4818
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. So the project, the overview, the project will support NTPC in its ongoing upgrades to its diesel power plant. So there's about 26 which will focus mostly on diesel engine replacements.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4818
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4818
Rocky Simpson Hay River South
Thank you, Madam Chair. You know, I look at this and I see diesel, and we talk about greenhouse gases and that. Has there been any thought, I guess, into looking at an alternate source, I guess, of fuel to -- for some of these, you know, smaller communities? Thank you.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4818
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4818
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, so, you know, you look at some of the projects here in the territory, and it's quite diverse. We have diesel. We have -- starting a wind project. We've got hydro. We've got a number of energy projects. So installing some of these new engines, we'll be able to replace the reliability of the plants, provide for some of the increased fuel efficiency, lower our greenhouse gas emissions. So, I mean, these are a number of things that we are doing and recognizing that the Northwest Territories is quite vast and geologically spaced so we do have a number of struggles and challenges that we have to heat our communities. If I can get Mr. Jenkins to speak a little further on that. Thanks.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4818
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4818
Jenkins
Thank you, Madam Chair. So as the Minister mentioned, looking at really upgrades for these diesel power plants, and 26 of them, different communities, we are looking at different solutions, combination of renewables like wind, solar, looking at LNG conversions. But in many instances, there is a need for that diesel backup. And moving forward with some of these upgrades, as the Minister mentioned, will both improve the reliability of that backup power, whether it's backup or primary, and will increase the efficiency and lower our GHG emissions. So we are looking at different solutions, and there is a different energy mix in each community. But in some of these communities, ultimately there will be either diesel moving forward as a -- for the near future as the primary or as the backup, and in either situation, putting in these new engines will lower our GHG emissions. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4818
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4818
Rocky Simpson Hay River South
Thank you, Madam Chair. Okay, I just want to go to the line item there, hydro infrastructure -- or no, I guess it's community hydro, two community hydro projects to generate electricity. What are the two communities that those are going in? Thank you.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4818
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4818
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, some of the community hydro -- the update on the feasibility study was completed in June of 2022 for a proposed mini hydro project to serve Gameti confirming there appears to be sufficient water available to meet some of the community's power needs. So the community of Gameti has applied for REACHE funding for phase 2 work, which is the technical and environmental. So funding has not been confirmed. Consultations with the Gameti and Tlicho government are required to be able to determine if the project moves forward. So we are -- the planned work under this project for 2023-2024, which is in this budget, is the technical studies and planning. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4818
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4818
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4818
Frieda Martselos Thebacha
Thank you, Madam Chair. I just want some clarity, and in dollars, the hydro -- Taltson hydro expansion planning process and where it's at. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4818
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4819
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, the Taltson hydro expansion, our current status, technical work is underway. We have $20 million set aside by Canada to advance the project. With the regulatory submissions, so these are rare and far, but they're about 100 percent funded. The scoping of major engineering contract to develop the remaining feasibility work for the project. So you look in the budget right now, some of the planned activities for 2023-2024 covers activities that are related to advancing the project to a point where it's ready for construction. This includes the engineering activities, environmental regulatory activities, engagement, commercial, and some partnership discussions. Madam Chair, I do want to note that we do have a Cabinet meeting -- bilateral meeting in Fort Simpson next month, I believe. So I'm sure we'd be -- this topic will be brought up as well. Thank you.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4819
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4819
Frieda Martselos Thebacha
Thank you, Madam Chair. I guess one of the things I also want to talk about are the hydro infrastructure, the Power Corporation upgrades. The upgrades, could you please explain how much that is and how it entails to the Taltson hydro expansion.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4819
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4819
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. So in terms of the overhauls, the project is in the construction phase. We did have, like any other project, some COVID-19 challenges that have delayed the completion date to 2023-2024. So it is deferred by a year, and some of the manufacturing of the turbine and generator was delayed because of the lockdown that happened in Spain and Italy. So some items were stored in Montreal. So delays are now scheduled for the 2023 winter road, which pushes the construction to start 2023.
In terms of the Snare -- no, I don't think -- I think the Member just asked about the Taltson. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4819
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4819
Frieda Martselos Thebacha
Thank you, Madam Chair. As you know, I'm a great supporter of green energy, and especially of the expansion of the Taltson, and it's in the area of the center of Fort Smith and our Thebacha riding. And I guess I'm -- you know, I've always been a strong supporter right from time that I've come here as a new Member in this Assembly, and I still continue to support this project tremendously. I also want to make sure that we look to the future and have a full board of people from across the territories. And I know there's lots of excuses being made for keeping deputy ministers but it's -- you know, if you're going to be truly an entity on your own and away from government, that has to happen and I wonder when that's going to happen. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4819
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4819
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I will take that as a comment. I know it was a subject that was brought up on the floor a couple weeks ago in terms of where we're at with our NTPC government model and the review. So I will take that, and we have Cabinet here that will be making decisions as well on what we do as a government to look at the NTPC board. Thanks.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4819
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4819
Frieda Martselos Thebacha
One of the concerns, Madam Chair, within the Fort Smith and the area that's affected with the green energy proposal is that a lot of the homes in the community and businesses are not able to hook up to the power grid as a form of green energy. So is that going to be part of the upgrades. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4819
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4819
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, developing the Taltson hydro electric system would connect ten of our communities to -- and 70 percent of the NWT population to one grid, also stabilize some of the costs of energy here in the territories, set a clean stage of economic growth, also improve energy security, reduce impacts on the energy system. So I think, if I can, Mr. Jenkins to elaborate a little further. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4819
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4819
Jenkins
Thank you, Madam Chair. So I believe the Member is talking about residents who may be in remote areas that are unable to connect to the grid. I think that obviously there are remote power options but those types of discussions for residents in or adjacent to communities connecting to grid infrastructure are best directed to the Power Corporation on the communication between the corporation and residents as potential customers. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4819
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4819
Frieda Martselos Thebacha
Yeah, thank you, Madam Chair. For clarity, I want to ensure that small business and other public buildings and residents of Fort Smith have the option to connect to the green energy proposal that's before us, and is that going to happen even before the expansion takes place, because we have all this excess energy that is not being used, and I'd like to have clarity on that. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4820
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4820
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, that's the intent. I mean, we have a 2030 Energy Strategy that we have to meet. We have targets. We have action plans every three years we look at and, you know, determine what do we need to do within some of our energy infrastructure projects. So that is something we are looking at going forward. So I take that as a comment, and I appreciate the Member's concern that we need to be able to move to more greener energy. Thanks.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4820
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4820
Frieda Martselos Thebacha
I just want to thank -- Madam Chair, I just want to thank the Minister for her comments. I'm a big supporter of the Taltson expansion in the South Slave because it's good energy and it's going to be shared with also the residents of Yellowknife and other communities, and I look forward to a successful project. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4820
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4820
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. And I appreciate the Member's concern and support as well because that's really important as we push some of our projects going forward, to be able to get the support from the MLAs to help us work with Indigenous groups is key in being able to push these forward. And I do want to make a comment. Perhaps I didn't answer the earlier question but, you know, one of the Members mention that we did an MOU signing with one of the mines. So I mean, that's a great start going forward, to be able to work and capitalize on some of the work that we have for the Taltson. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4820
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4820
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4820
The Chair Lesa Semmler
Are there any further questions under infrastructure, energy and strategy initiatives? Seeing none, committee, please turn to -- or sorry. Infrastructure, energy and strategic initiatives, infrastructure investment, $62,213,000. Does committee agree?
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4820
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4820
The Chair Lesa Semmler
Thank you. Committee, please turn to page 58, programs and services, with information items on page 59. Minister, did you wish to switch out our witnesses for the next section?
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4820
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4820
The Chair Lesa Semmler
Sergeant-at-arms, please escort the witness and bring in the new witness. Thank you.
Please introduce your witness.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4820
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. Still with me today is my deputy minister Steve Loutitt, and Delia Chesworth who is assistant deputy minister for programs and services for this section. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4820
The Chair Lesa Semmler
Thank you. Okay. So Members, Infrastructure, programs and services, infrastructure investments $50,057,000. Are there any questions, comments? Member for Yellowknife North.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4820
Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North
Thank you, Madam Chair. I see that there's, under the technology service centre, there's a replacement of our capital service network and storage infrastructure. Would someone be able to tell me the estimated cost of that replacement?
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4820
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4820
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I'm going to have Delia speak to the technology service centre in the evergreen. So thank you.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4820
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4820
Chesworth
Thank you, Madam Chair. The work that is being done to evergreen the technology service centre is to replace infrastructure on a cyclical basis. Approximately one-sixth of our infrastructure is replaced on an annual basis with capital improvements to that infrastructure.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4820
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4820
Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North
Yeah, thank you, Madam Chair. I'm looking at page 58, and I see information technology projects is $2.5 million. So can I just clarify that we spend $2.5 million a year evergreening our current TSC servers, networks, and storage infrastructure? Thank you.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4820
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4821
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, we're going to have to get back to the Member on that. I would hate to be quoted on an exact number without further looking into the details on that. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4821
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4821
Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North
Yeah, thank you, Madam Chair. You know, I guess, well I would like to know how much we actually spend on our server infrastructure. I believe it's something actually higher than $2.5 million, and if not, tens of millions to replace it. But the whole point of this was leading to a question of I was wondering if the GNWT has looked into any cloud-based computing. I know that the federal government now has a cloud-first policy after the Treasury Board did an analysis and said that, you know, getting rid of their physical servers and switching to a cloud-based model would save them tens of millions of dollars. A lot of governments are going in this direction. It's a lot cheaper. I know there is security concerns, and you have to find a company that servers are in Canada. But I'm just wondering if any analysis is done on the millions of dollars we spend a year on physical servers to make a switch over to cloud. Thank you.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4821
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4821
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I'm going to ask Ms. Chesworth if she can respond. Thanks.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4821
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4821
Chesworth
Thank you, Madam Chair. Yes, we do continue to look at new technologies continuously, including the cloud, to see what option it is we have. We do need to work in very close concert with our colleagues in the Department of Finance and the Office of the CIO there, due to the security requirements. So it's a partnership that we work hand-in-hand with the Department of Finance. Thank you.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4821
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4821
Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North
Yeah, and I have raised this with the office of the chief information officer, and I know they're looking into it. And if the lines get blurred, I know as Health goes out and obtains new software, it may or may not be served on our physical servers, or it may be -- the lines get blurred yet we spend tens of millions of dollars in this area. I guess my next question is considering the money that Infrastructure spends every year on what I consider IT, or what is actually labelled IT, has there been further consideration about whether this should be rolled into Finance? It seems that the overlap between ISSS and the chief information officer just gets more and more every single year and, yeah, I'm wondering if those conversations are happening, whether the TSC is best suited with ISSS? Thank you.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4821
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4821
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, it's a discussion that the whole-of-government would take, would have that discussion and make those decisions. It's not, you know, up to me as Minister of Infrastructure who's responsible for technology shared services and Minister of Finance. But, I mean, it's a whole-of-government approach. It would need to be -- we'd need to have further discussions. So no, I don't think Minister of Finance would like anything further added to her portfolio. I can't speak for her but I would expect not. So, you know, we're not at that discussion yet. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4821
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4821
Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North
Yeah, thank you. And I guess I'll just -- one last question about the $2.5 million under information technology projects here. So is the current split of when I see something in Finance and when I see something in Infrastructure just a hardware-software split? Is it all of -- does Infrastructure ever have software show up in this IT budget line or would this -- well, yeah, I guess the Minister's going to get back to me whether this is all evergreening or current physical infrastructure. But is that the general split, that you guys get the hardware and they get the software? Is that what's happening with this money? Thank you.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4821
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4821
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Madam Chair, I think the Member answered his own question. Yes, we do look after the hardware. So it would be -- yes. Thanks.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4821
The Chair Lesa Semmler
Thank you. Are there any further questions, comments, under programs and services? Seeing none, Infrastructure, programs and services, infrastructure investments, $50,057,000. Does committee agree?
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4822
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 312-19(2): Bill 48: Arbitration Act - Deletion of Clause 77, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 4822
The Chair Lesa Semmler
Thank you, Members. Please return now to the departmental summary found at page 52. Member for Kam Lake.