Evidence of meeting #123 for Indigenous and Northern Affairs in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was infrastructure.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Mayor, Hamlet of Tuktoyaktuk
It's easier to go up if they don't want to let it go west or east.
Mayor, Hamlet of Tuktoyaktuk
It's cheaper for you guys to get it from the Saudis here.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal MaryAnn Mihychuk
That wraps up our time. It's a good place to end.
The questioning now moves to MP Yves Robillard.
Liberal
Conservative
Liberal
Independent
Hunter Tootoo Independent Nunavut, NU
Thanks, Mike and Madam Chair.
I have a couple of things.
Maybe I'll start with you, Mike.
With regard to the support for the Kivalliq hydro and fibre link going north, KIA's David Ningeongan was here last week, appearing before us and pitching the project. You've been around a long time. I know that. We were both a lot younger in Churchill in those days.
The positive economic impact that a project like that would have, not only on the Kivalliq region, but also on Churchill and the communities along the line coming up in Manitoba....
Mayor, Town of Churchill
Okay.
Actually, the transmission line comes to our community. That's as far north as it goes. We were part of the Hudson Bay regional round table, when we sat down with the communities north of us and indicated that we needed to look at power transmission, along with fibre optic, going to the Kivalliq district. We've been a big supporter of it.
Basically, I think we're giving back. We're doing our part in terms of supporting what the Kivalliq district wants. Like I said, we have power, but I think it's critically important that, as neighbours, we continue to work together so that we can both benefit. Naturally, we both benefit by coming from the province of Manitoba. A regional partnership is where we're coming from. There's two-way trade, and that's where we'll get our payday. It's critically important that we work together.
Independent
Hunter Tootoo Independent Nunavut, NU
Thank you.
Maybe I'll just ask my good friend Jackie. I know Larry talked earlier about the effects of climate change. I know some of the challenges of getting stuff by barge from Hay River up to the Arctic Ocean and our communities, including yours, with the low water levels on the Mackenzie River, and a lot of that has to do with climate change.
You're talking about having a port in Tuk and trucking stuff up there and shipping stuff out from there. Do you think that would be a much more reliable solution, with what's happening with the Mackenzie River?
Councillor, Hamlet of Tuktoyaktuk
Thank you, Hunter.
Yes, it would be. It would be more strategic and more efficient, and there would be cost savings for sure, if you did that. The territorial government has assets there that are more than capable of doing that, too.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal MaryAnn Mihychuk
Thank you.
That wraps up our time. I want to thank you all for travelling so far to give us your views on Arctic policy and infrastructure needs, a snapshot of what's happening in your hometown.
We'll take a short suspension, and then we'll have our second panel for today.
Meegwetch.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal MaryAnn Mihychuk
Welcome, and thank you for coming to our committee.
We have a guest on video conference. Welcome. Thank you for coming into Winnipeg from your community. I know that even that is quite a distance to come in.
We are studying Arctic infrastructure, and you're the second panel. Each of you will have up to 10 minutes to present, and after that we'll go into rounds of questioning from the MPs.
Excuse me?
Conservative
Cathy McLeod Conservative Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC
Madam Chair, I have a point of order.
I just have a quick motion prior to our panel starting. As you know, we have the Auditor General coming to do two chapters. We've had informal discussions, I believe, about the importance of having officials, both with Indigenous Services and with ESDC, being part of that panel on Wednesday. I would just like to make that a formal motion.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal MaryAnn Mihychuk
That's about calling ESDC to the committee meeting for Wednesday.
Conservative
Cathy McLeod Conservative Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC
In partnership with the Auditor General's spring report...and to make it televised.
Liberal
TJ Harvey Liberal Tobique—Mactaquac, NB
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Technically, you can't move a motion on a point of order.
Liberal
