Wally Schumann

Wally Schumann
Hay River South

Statements in Debates

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 41)

Yes, we have looked at this option, as well. The ferry most often shuts down during this season, like at the end of the year, I guess, is what I'm trying to say. It's due to heavy ice flow or low water. It's usually heavy ice flow. Moving it up river I don't think is going to be able to extend the season. It's not likely.

We also did a preliminary cost structure on this, too, and that is going to cost an extra $3.2 million if we were to look at that option. The other thing that we would have look at if we actually did that option would be land acquisition, land use permits, potential water...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 41)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. When they became commercially available, we will have a look at it. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 41)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. We can do that, but I can also bring it to our briefing next week for MTS, as well. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 41)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to thank the Member. Yes, we have worked with industry to extend the hours there, in Simpson, for an extra couple of hours during the summer. I think that has worked out great.

The department is always looking at ways to improve partnership and innovation or efficiencies on our ferries. These are challenging times these days, with the climate change and water levels that are happening.

The department has this coming capital plan on his specific ferry for his region. In the capital acquisition plan that was tabled earlier in this session, we are going to have new...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 41)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. We can actually maybe get that information for you, as well. There are 10 vehicles, and they range from $2,790 to $4,750, depending on their size. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 41)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. You know, the Member keeps calling this an error and he keeps trying to blame MTS and that's not the case.

As I did in my Member's statement, there are all types of events that happened that caused this problem. It all started off, as I said in the House the other day with my Minister's statement, that's why we are sitting here, was because of the high water that knocked all the buoys out, the delivery of fuel to the Hay River terminal that didn't meet spec that delayed the scheduling to all the communities again, and this multi-year sea ice that came down.

We worked very...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 41)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, approximately, we would have had an extra $3 million in revenue to the bottom line. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 41)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. As maybe not all Members realize, but, when you ship your goods on MTS, when you sign your bill of lading, there is no guarantee in delivery. That is right on there when you sign it. There is an option for customers to buy insurance, which we highly encourage for damaged goods and stuff.

As Mr. Vandenberg stated, we won't be compensating businesses, That is true. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 41)

I am going to make it brief, but one thing I just talked to deputy what I want to do when we come in front of committee next week, I am going to find out exactly how many litres of fuel we delivered to the Arctic communities, and I am going to get a quote of how much it is to truck it to Inuvik to give committee a fair comparison on what it would cost. I think they are going to be pretty shocked.

For my closing comments, I thank all committee members for their questions. I think it is good that we have a public forum here to get this information out to the public. I need to reassure the public...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 41)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Companies like these two that the Member is referring to, they service a different market and do different types of work. Cooper's Barging, for example, maybe a lot of people don't realize, but they don't haul fuel. Their barges are only set up for deck cargo.

Companies like these, too, that the Member is referring to, they service a different market and do different types of work. Cooper’s Barging, for example, maybe a lot of people don’t realize, but they don’t haul fuel. Their barges are only set up for deck cargo. In rare, extreme cases they have hauled fuel on top...