Ottawa sprinkles sealift improvement money throughout the North
Multiple communities to get better petroleum product transfer infrastructure, cargo storage
The fuel tanker Tuvaq, owned by the Woodward Group of Companies, lies off Iqaluit in the summer of 2010. The federal government is spending $64.9 million to improve the handling of petroleum product shipments and sealift cargo in multiple northern communities. (File photo)
Transport Canada will distribute $64.9 million among numerous communities in Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, Nunavik and Nunatsiavut to improve sealift infrastructure, the federal government announced on Thursday, Nov. 12.
The money flows from the Liberal government’s highly touted $1.5-billion Oceans Protection Plan, which was announced in November 2016. This month marks the fourth anniversary of that program.
In Nunavut, the government will spend money on the following:
• A new warehouse in Iqaluit to organize and store sealift containers.
• Improvements to sealift areas in nine Nunavut communities. The government did not identify which communities will benefit from this.
• Replacing fuel pipelines in 12 communities to improve the transfer of petroleum products from ships. The government did not identify the communities.
• Relocation of petroleum product transfer equipment further from the shore in nine communities. Again, the government did not identify the communities.
• Installation of two 70-tonne mooring bollards in Kugluktuk, to help anchor vehicles.
• Buying equipment to improve communication and documentation related to fuel resupply.
In the Northwest Territories, the money will pay for the following:
• Replacing a pipeline in the Sahtu region community of Tulita on the Mackenzie River, and upgrading its petroleum storage facilities.
• Replacing moorings used to secure barges in three Inuvialuit communities.
• Repairing the dock at the Sahtu region community of Norman Wells.
In Nunavik, the money will pay for the following:
• Upgrading petroleum product transfer equipment in 13 communities.
• Installing bollards in three communities to improve the security of vessels during resupply.
• Upgrading pipelines in three communities.
• Installing equipment in two communities to increase the flow of petroleum products.
And in Nunatsiavut, the money will pay for new structures in three communities to offer safe freight storage.
Did it say anything about improving the oil delivery service to Rigolet and Black Tickle in Labrador?