Effective today, fuel prices will be updated in 10 communities serviced by the Department of Infrastructure’s Petroleum Products Program.

Prices are being updated to reflect the cost of fuel delivered through the 2023 summer and fall resupply programs. The prices of heating and motive fuel will decrease in Jean Marie River, Wrigley and Tulita, while fuel prices will increase for Beaufort Delta communities and Fort Good Hope, primarily due to increased transportation costs. Similar adjustments in fuel prices are in effect for government customers in these communities.

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Mr. Speaker, destructive events like flooding and wildfire are top of mind when considering how climate change has challenged the Northwest Territories in recent years. There is, however, another climate-related challenge affecting many of the territory’s residents: delayed winter and ice road construction.

January to March is a busy time for travel in the territory with increased traffic on our highways and winter roads. Residents and commercial drivers are reminded to drive safe, keep a close eye on weather and highway conditions and be prepared for unexpected challenges.

This year, there will be a significant increase in large truck traffic moving fuel and cargo to the Sahtu Region, so it will be more important than ever to follow safe driving practices.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has submitted the Developer’s Assessment Report for the Mackenzie Valley Highway Project to the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board (MVEIRB). The submission is a significant milestone in the Environmental Assessment (EA) process for this strategic infrastructure project and meets the Mandate commitment to advance the development of the Mackenzie Valley Highway.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is contributing an additional $3.6 million to support an electric vehicle (EV) charging corridor in the territory.

As committed to in the 2030 Energy Strategy, the $3.6 million will support the completion of a zero-emission corridor with the installation of Level 3 charging stations in Fort Providence, Enterprise, Hay River, Buffalo Junction and Fort Smith. Level 3 chargers can fully charge an EV in approximately half an hour.

Marine Transportation Services (MTS) has completed its 2023 resupply season with deliveries of essential cargo and fuel to 11 Northern communities.

This was MTS’s seventh sailing season since the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) purchased marine assets from a previous operator in 2016 and formed MTS as a division under the Department of Infrastructure. This annual scheduled service provides cost-effective resupply to residents and businesses in communities on Great Slave Lake, Mackenzie River corridor and the Arctic Coast.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has completed work for the 2023 season to dredge an emergency navigable channel in the Hay River Harbour, a critical link in the territory’s transportation network.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has released three What We Heard reports summarizing the results of engagement on the Mackenzie Valley Highway project.

Engagement focused on the project description and construction activities, project impacts and proposed mitigation measures and monitoring plans, respectively. Sessions occurred between March 2022 and February 2023.

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Mr. Speaker, today I want to focus on the Government of the Northwest Territories’ accomplishments in road, air and marine transportation during the 19th Legislative Assembly.

Enhancing our all-season highway system has been a top priority. In November 2021, the GNWT opened the Tłı̨chǫ Highway to traffic for the first time, adding to the territory’s roster of all season highways. This 97-kilometre all-season road was advanced in partnership with the Tłı̨chǫ Government and will reduce the cost of living in the region.

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Mr. Speaker, delivering the energy Northerners need, in our climate and in a territory as large as the NWT, is challenging. We must constantly maintain and improve the territory’s energy systems so our people and businesses have the energy they need when they need it.