The GNWT Department of Infrastructure is conducting an independent review into the operations of its Marine Transportation Services (MTS) division, which delivers crucial freight to communities along the Mackenzie River and the Arctic Ocean coast.
SA国际影视传媒淲e expect to have a draft report ready by this summer that will outline the MTS governance options,SA国际影视传媒� reads a statement from the department, which did not specify who has been tasked with the review.
This development comes after the NWT Association of Communities called for a review of MTS at its annual general meeting, which was hosted in Hay River from Feb. 29 to March 2.
The motion, brought forward by the Hamlet of Ulukhaktok, requests that a firm SA国际影视传媒渆xperienced in the marine freight industrySA国际影视传媒� investigate seven areas specifically:
-the suitability of vessels that are used for river and sea navigation
-scheduling
-the financial consequence to MTS when timely delivery of freight is not carried out
-communications to communities
-the marine experience and business acumen of senior management personnel
-the potential for contracting out to the private sector
-comparative analysis of using road transportation to Tuktoyaktuk via the Alaska and Dempster highways, and Highway 10
Ulukhaktok raised the motion due to the SA国际影视传媒渟nowballSA国际影视传媒� effect caused by late or failed barge deliveries, according to Mayor Joshua Oliktoak.
SA国际影视传媒淥ur coastal communities really rely on MTS to bring in the barge with supplies and fuel and gas, the main reason being to keep costs down,SA国际影视传媒� the mayor said. SA国际影视传媒淯p here, if we miss the barge, or MTS doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 come in with the barge with all our groceries and fuel and gas, our jet fuel, our prices skyrocket. We canSA国际影视传媒檛 afford to pay as much as we are paying now.
SA国际影视传媒淥ne year the barge didnSA国际影视传媒檛 make it into Ulukhaktok,SA国际影视传媒� Oliktoak added. SA国际影视传媒淚t was something to do with the weather SA国际影视传媒� high swells on the water and big winds. We missed the barge and that year we had very high prices for groceries, very high prices for gas.
SA国际影视传媒淭hey brought in fuel and gas in bladders on the plane by air, and the prices were just crazy. We couldnSA国际影视传媒檛 afford it, and yet our membership had no choice but to buy it.SA国际影视传媒�
This is not the first time Oliktoak has sought a review into MTS operations.
In October 2022, the mayor sent a letter to former Nunakput MLA Jackie Jacobson recommending a nearly identical investigation to be brought to the legislative assembly.
SA国际影视传媒淭hey were having problems before the [expletive] hit the fan with water levels on the Mackenzie,SA国际影视传媒� noted the communitySA国际影视传媒檚 acting senior administrative officer Stephen Conway, who shared the 2022 letter with SA国际影视传媒. SA国际影视传媒淧roves prophetic, doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 it?SA国际影视传媒�
Nothing came of the mayorSA国际影视传媒檚 2022 request.
Oliktoak hopes a review will result in benefits for Ulukhaktok, as well as the other coastal communities of Nunakput, most notably the creation of a port in Tuktoyaktuk, which would allow freight to be more easily distributed across the region.
SA国际影视传媒淢aybe a port would open up in Tuk,SA国际影视传媒� the mayor said. SA国际影视传媒淭hey have some sort of a base already set up there. It would really help out the coastal communities because then weSA国际影视传媒檇 have somewhere within our region, somewhere to get set up for our coastal communities.SA国际影视传媒�
Speaking during the Feb. 28 session of the legislative assembly, Infrastructure Minister Caroline Wawzonek reflected on MTSSA国际影视传媒� first seven seasons. She commended MTS staff for navigating SA国际影视传媒渁n extremely challenging 2023SA国际影视传媒� marked by low water levels on the Mackenzie River and two evacuations of Hay River, where the division is based.
SA国际影视传媒淚 am proud to say we succeeded in shipping 22.7 million litres of fuel and 3,400 tonnes of cargo to 11 Northern communities last year,SA国际影视传媒� she said.
However, the minister also admitted that some of the challenges that MTS faced in 2023 were SA国际影视传媒渋nsurmountable,SA国际影视传媒� and pointed to the cancellation of the final planned shipment to Norman Wells and Tulita as an example.
With the 2024 shipping season rapidly approaching, she remarked that there could be more challenges on the way as SA国际影视传媒渨ater levels throughout the Northwest Territories could be low once again, and the wildfire season is only a few months away.SA国际影视传媒�
SA国际影视传媒淭o provide the best service possible, MTS staff are busy developing contingency plans on potential obstacles to operations, so our communities and customers get their fuel and goods when they need it,SA国际影视传媒� she said.
MTS has been operated by the Department of Infrastructure since 2017. It uses high-powered shallow draft tugboats and barges to service communities in the NWT as well as NunavutSA国际影视传媒檚 Kitikmeot region. Cargo rates are increasing 4.5 per cent in 2024.
SA国际影视传媒淧roviding the best value for the communities and customers we serve and setting a sustainable path forward are the GNWTSA国际影视传媒檚 top priorities for MTSSA国际影视传媒� operations,SA国际影视传媒� a statement from the department continues. SA国际影视传媒淎n independent review of the MTS governance and operating model is currently underway, and we are committed to reviewing multiple options to determine the best long-term plan for the territorial governmentSA国际影视传媒檚 involvement in marine transportation.SA国际影视传媒�
