Check against delivery

Mr. Speaker, I would like to provide an update on this year’s winter road and summer barging resupply seasons.

Every year, communities across the Northwest Territories rely on a massive, coordinated effort to make sure fuel and essential goods arrive safely and on time. For many communities, especially those without all-season road access, these resupply seasons are critical.

Through the Fuel Services Division, the Government of the Northwest Territories coordinates fuel deliveries to communities across the territory. That work happens year-round and involves an enormous amount of planning, forecasting, logistics, monitoring, and coordination behind the scenes. Whether fuel moves by winter road, barge, truck, or marine vessel, none of it happens without the careful and committed work of the Fuel Services Division and the many operators, contractors, and transportation partners who help make these deliveries possible.

Despite lower-than-average water levels, though higher than 2024, last summer’s barging season was successful, with all planned fuel and cargo deliveries completed to ten northern communities through Marine Transportation Services. That strong season helped set us up well heading into winter.

This past winter, 10.5 million litres of fuel were delivered. More than eight million litres of that fuel were delivered to eight winter-road-access communities and the rest to all-weather-road-accessible communities.

Regardless of the efforts put forward each resupply season, staff work year-round to monitor supply levels, manage logistics, and coordinate deliveries to help ensure communities have the fuel they need, when they need it.

Mr. Speaker, a colder-than-usual winter helped support winter road operations this season. Roads remained open longer and were able to support heavier loads and weight limits for extended periods. That said, crews had to stay flexible and responsive throughout the season.

To keep the roads safe and reliable, crews carried out additional flooding on ice crossings and increased monitoring and maintenance activities. The entire Mackenzie Valley Winter Road system was also widened this season to accommodate moving oversized modular buildings up to Colville Lake. This widening included brushing where necessary and removal/repositioning of signs. In February, the Sahtu experienced a high level of snowfall throughout the month, resulting in increased maintenance costs as the road had to be maintained to the new extended width.

Mr. Speaker, every resupply season comes with uncertainty. Weather conditions can shift quickly, water levels can change, and sudden disruptions can have major impacts on timelines and operations. That is why planning and contingency work are such an important part of what our teams do year-round.

Preparation for this year’s summer resupply season is already well underway. Marine Transportation Services crews are continuing work to improve and maintain vessels, while staff monitor snowpack and water levels ahead of the sailing season. Coordination is also underway with the Canadian Coast Guard to support buoy placement along shipping routes.

At the same time, cargo planning is continuing so communities, businesses, and customers can prepare for the upcoming season. Cargo rates, cut-off dates, and tentative sailing schedules were announced earlier this month to help residents and businesses plan ahead.

Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize the people behind this work. Successful resupply seasons do not happen as a result of one division or one group’s work alone. They depend on coordination between the Fuel Services Division, highway operations teams, Marine Transportation Services, contractors, truckers, vessel operators, suppliers, clients, and many others working together across the territory.

Every season teaches us something new. Our teams continue to adapt, improve, and strengthen the systems that communities rely on every year. Most importantly, this work helps ensure Northerners continue to receive the fuel, supplies, and essential goods they depend on.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.