Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Northwest Territories' winter roads are a very important part of providing much-needed access to and from communities. They are especially critical when it comes to connecting families and businesses.
Every year essential goods, like fuel for electricity generation, heat, and transportation, are delivered to communities and homes by way of the NWT's winter roads. I would like to thank all the highway and fuel delivery crews across the territory for their care, diligence, and commitment this season. Their work is vital for the day-to-day lives of residents in all NWT regions. The pandemic has created challenges and hardships but the highway and fuel crews have risen to the challenge and continue to deliver quality service, safely and reliably.
Today, I am pleased to provide an update on the 2022 winter road season and fuel resupply activities.
Each year, highway crews in the Beaufort Delta, Sahtu, Deh Cho, and North Slave regions build and maintain 1,399 kilometres of winter roads, ice roads, and ice crossings, connecting nine communities that are not served by all-season roads.
Mr. Speaker, fuel is an essential good for residents and businesses in northern communities. Many communities rely heavily on diesel and gasoline for electricity generation, heat, and transportation.
The GNWT is responsible for the purchase, transport, and storage of fuel for 16 NWT communities that are not served by the private sector. During the winter resupply season, seven communities receive dedicated resupply services while five communities are part of live supply activities. Local contractors then sell and distribute these petroleum products to residents and businesses.
This winter, the GNWT's first fuel delivery took place on February 2. It is expected that fuel resupply will be completed by mid-April, with a total of 9.7 million litres of petroleum products - diesel, gasoline, and jet fuel - delivered to 12 communities.
We are aware of the effect that recent world events have had on fuel costs. I want to assure you that the delivery and resupply of fuel to NWT communities continue to run smoothly this season.
Partnerships are an important part of this work. This year the supply and delivery contracts were carried out by the same two contractors as last year - Bassett Petroleum and Midnight Petroleum.
Mr. Speaker, our staff and contractors have worked diligently this season in keeping communities connected as well as supplied. Our government will continue to work with the public and private sector partners to maintain a dependable supply of goods and services to all NWT communities. Quyananni, Mr. Speaker.
