Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address my Mackenzie Valley Fibre Optic Line unanswered written questions noting that the critical questions raised, in my opinion, were not answered.

In my written question, I appreciated the Minister providing some high-level context, but a closer look reveals that the vital information still remains missing and unanswered. The Minister shared that a P3 agreement costs approximately $12 million annually but only generates $2.3 million from ten customers.

Mr. Speaker, it was originally sold as to print money, not to give away money, Mr. Speaker, so the question is what happened; where did the wheels fall off the car? Mr. Speaker, is the GNWT subsidizing a private entity to run this thing?

So at the same time, the government has failed to deliver specifics on the financial breakdown by this project phase and customers' costs that were requested. Mr. Speaker, I am left wondering. Worse yet, the actual management agreement was completely withheld under the guise of confidentiality. Now, I am sure something could have been provided to an MLA like myself, even an embargoed copy of some sort, Mr. Speaker. We get hundreds of confidential documents a week around here, Mr. Speaker. One more wouldn't have hurt, Mr. Speaker, and I, of course, would have respected that.

But when it comes to the future of our communities now, Mr. Speaker, the response falls even further short. The Minister lists which communities currently have service, and which rely on satellite but completely deflects on providing a clear implementation schedule or cost projections for the connecting of those communities left behind. Hey, who wants a community left behind? No community left behind, Mr. Speaker. That's my saying.

Mr. Speaker, the government disappoints them and it's disappointing me.

Furthermore, the serious issue of revenue leak to other jurisdictions was entirely ignored. Again, I need to remind you, when the government's spending $12 million and only getting two back, Mr. Speaker, we need to start asking some serious questions.

Lastly, the only complete answer out of all the questions I received was a reference to the BC economic study. While very important to understand outside data and how it's used, but Northerners deserve transparency about our infrastructure, Mr. Speaker. We deserve to know more about our budget and certainly about our timelines.

The general overview was falling short, Mr. Speaker. We deserve digital equity and certainly value for service. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.