North

Michael McLeod promises to replace Yellowknife's aging water pipe for $20M

Michael McLeod released his campaign promises Wednesday, which include an investment of $20 million for a new water pipeline for the city of Yellowknife.

The city says the old pipe is at risk of failing and needs to be replaced

The Liberal candidate for the Northwest Territories, Michael McLeod, released his campaign promises Wednesday, which include an investment of $20 million for a new water pipeline for the city of Yellowknife.

The city's drinking water comes from the Yellowknife River and is transported via an aging, eight-kilometre underwater pipeline to its new water treatment plant.

A big White building that says City of Yellowknife Water Treatment Plant on it. A truck is parked out front.
The city’s drinking water comes from the Yellowknife River and is transported via an aging, eight-kilometre underwater pipeline to its new water treatment plant. (CBC )

The line was installed in the 1960s and the city has said it's at risk of failing and needs to be replaced.

Mayor Mark Heyck has previously said administration would need to put money aside for a new pipe. But McLeod says the water line should be a federal priority.

"Yellowknife is being challenged with having to replace infrastructure and build new infrastructure," McLeod said.

"The federal government has historically played a role in it and I think they should do it again."

McLeod also vowed to increase the northern residents tax deduction by 50 per cent.