The federal government is providing $19.5 million to help build four double-hulled barges to deliver fuel to Northern communities.
Northwest Territories MP Michael McLeod announced the funding on Oct. 13 during a visit to Hay River.
The barges will be commissioned by the GNWT, which contributed $16.5 million to the project.
"Right now, most petroleum delivered to our communities along the Mackenzie River watershed is carried in single-hulled barges," said McLeod. "These four modern, state-of-the-art, double-hulled barges will significantly reduce the risk of fuel spills, especially in low-water conditions."
Wally Schumann, the GNWT's minister of Infrastructure, said the barges will help improve the operations of Marine Transportation Services.
Schuman, who is also the minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, added the funding from the federal government for the new barges will help stabilize the cost of living, increase protection for the marine environment and support the efficiency of resupply to the NWT's 16 marine-serviced communities.
French-language services improve
The GNWT has shown significant improvement in its French-language communications and services, according to independent reports released on Oct. 5.
The findings come from an audit of French-language communications and services, and an evaluation of the Strategic Plan on French-Language Communications and Services 2012 conducted in 2017.
The reports concluded there has been substantial improvement in significant-demand communities over the past five years. Significant-demand communities are Yellowknife, Inuvik, Fort Smith and Hay River.
The reports specifically noted that French responses were received 81 per cent of the time when tested face to face, on the phone or by email.
Classic horror film for free, and unknown
The Hay River Film Society will present its first-annual Halloween Screen Unseen on Oct. 26, beginning at 10 p.m. at the Riverview Cineplex.
The film is free, but the catch is that it will remain unknown until it begins.
Moviegoers can also dress up for Halloween for a chance to win prizes.
Handmade market at heritage centre
A handmade market will be held at the Hay River Heritage Centre from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 17.
The market will feature handmade items created by local artisans.