Check against delivery

Mr. Speaker, I would like to provide an update on the 2025 Marine Transportation Services’ sailing season. After the 2024 low water challenges that made the Mackenzie River impossible to navigate and forced cancelation of the shipping season, I am happy to report that the 2025 season was a success.

Last spring, I spoke of proactive contingency plans being made in case conditions on the Mackenzie River were unnavigable again. Thanks to favourable conditions and good work done by Marine Transportation Services and the Department of Infrastructure Fuel Services Division, we were able to carry out our sailing plans and ensure the delivery of all scheduled fuel and cargo to communities along the Mackenzie River, Great Slave Lake, and into the Western Arctic.  This is the first time in four years that we have been able to ship to all communities in our Marine Transportation Services system.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to share some highlights from this year. This season, Marine Transportation Services delivered over 18 million liters of fuel and over 2,000 revenue tonnes of cargo to ten communities. Our vessels made two trips to Norman Wells, Tulita, Łutselk’e, and Fort Good Hope, and serviced communities in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region coastal communities.

This season was not without its challenges though, as water levels were still below normal and river conditions prompted us to lower the drafts on our barges and reroute around an ice strip in the Amundsen Gulf. Thankfully, the navigation buoys were placed on the Mackenzie River so that we could progress safely down the river.

It is evident that the work done to ensure a successful sailing season is a collaborative effort, that spans across government departments, and external organizations. Staff from Marine Transportation Services worked with hydrologists from the Department of Environment and Climate Change to monitor water and snowpack levels and with the team at Fuel Services Division to manage fuel logistics. Additionally, I would like to note that last week, this very same fuel resupply team was the recipient of a Premier’s Award for Team Excellence. This multidisciplinary team was recognized for coordinating one of the largest winter resupply operations in recent memory, over 230 truckloads of fuel delivered to Sahtu communities, ensuring reliable and safe access to essential resources despite extreme weather and logistical challenges. Congratulations to the fuel resupply team!

Mr. Speaker, the success of this season will have a lasting impact on communities in the North. Marine Transportation Services delivers essential goods and services to northern communities that do not have the same ease of access as those connected through our all-season highway system. The success of this summer resupply season relieves pressure on our winter resupply system, which saw a 400% increase in road traffic last season, pushing our highway infrastructure to its limits.

Though Marine Transportation Services operations have wrapped up, work to improve services has been, and continues to be, an ongoing effort. Since Marine Transportation Services came under new leadership last November, we have seen efficiencies introduced to standardized rate structures as well as streamlined ship schedules. Looking ahead, Marine Transportation Services continues to improve fleet capabilities and is reviewing and refining operations to ensure we are prepared for any challenges next year.

Mr. Speaker, with the success of this season, we have fulfilled our mandate to provide Northerners with access to essential goods and services, and I am pleased to re-affirm our government’s commitment to community resupply in the years ahead. I would like to thank and recognize the flexibility of residents, our Marine Transportation Services and Fuel Services Division staff.

Whether it is our ability to adapt to a changing climate, our ability to mitigate these obstacles with contingency plans, or our collaboration with stakeholders and business partners, we are confident in our capacity to help build a strong and resilient North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.