Oral questions. Mr. Koe.
Debates of June 16th, 1992
This is page numbers 616 - 630 of the Hansard for the 12th Assembly, 2nd Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was communities.
Topics
Further Return To Question O528-12(2): Kitikmeot And North Slave Regions Omitted In Government Decentralization
Question O528-12(2): Kitikmeot And North Slave Regions Omitted In Government Decentralization
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 624
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Question O529-12(2): Interim Rate Increase By NWT Power Corporation
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 625
Fred Koe Inuvik
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister responsible for the NWT Power Corporation. On April 6 of this year, the Power Corporation announced a six per cent interim rate increase for power consumption, and this increase was retroactive to March 31. Mr. Speaker, this announcement was conveniently made after this Assembly recessed on April 3, and I am sure we are all aware of the impact such an increase has on residents and businesses. My question is, on what basis or rationale was this six per cent increase based?
Question O529-12(2): Interim Rate Increase By NWT Power Corporation
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 625
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Ms. Cournoyea. Mr. Pollard will take the question.
Return To Question O529-12(2): Interim Rate Increase By Nwt Power Corporation
Question O529-12(2): Interim Rate Increase By NWT Power Corporation
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 625
John Pollard Hay River
Mr. Speaker, the Public Utilities Board is my area of responsibility, and the Power Corporation, beginning April I of this year, came under the jurisdiction of the Public Utilities Board. Mr. Speaker, that is an arm's length board from the Government of the Northwest Territories. Applications have to be made to that board, and the board has the power to make decisions with regard to rate increases. They sanctioned the rate increase for the Power Corporation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Return To Question O529-12(2): Interim Rate Increase By Nwt Power Corporation
Question O529-12(2): Interim Rate Increase By NWT Power Corporation
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 625
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Supplementary, Mr. Koe.
Supplementary To Question O529-12(2): Interim Rate Increase By Nwt Power Corporation
Question O529-12(2): Interim Rate Increase By NWT Power Corporation
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 625
Fred Koe Inuvik
I still did not get an answer on what rationale the increase is based on. Is it because of higher costs, or more employees, or fewer employees, or whatever? What is the rationale for having an interim rate increase?
Supplementary To Question O529-12(2): Interim Rate Increase By Nwt Power Corporation
Question O529-12(2): Interim Rate Increase By NWT Power Corporation
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 625
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Mr. Pollard.
Further Return To Question O529-12(2): Interim Rate Increase By Nwt Power Corporation
Question O529-12(2): Interim Rate Increase By NWT Power Corporation
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 625
John Pollard Hay River
Mr. Speaker, I will get the Public Utilities Board to send the information over to Mr. Koe. I do not have that information available. Thank you.
Further Return To Question O529-12(2): Interim Rate Increase By Nwt Power Corporation
Question O529-12(2): Interim Rate Increase By NWT Power Corporation
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 625
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Koe.
Supplementary To Question O529-12(2): Interim Rate Increase By Nwt Power Corporation
Question O529-12(2): Interim Rate Increase By NWT Power Corporation
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 625
Fred Koe Inuvik
The announcement stated that this was an interim rate increase. Are power consumers in the Northwest Territories expected to get another increase sometime this year?
Supplementary To Question O529-12(2): Interim Rate Increase By Nwt Power Corporation
Question O529-12(2): Interim Rate Increase By NWT Power Corporation
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 625
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Mr. Pollard.
Further Return To Question O529-12(2): Interim Rate Increase By Nwt Power Corporation
Question O529-12(2): Interim Rate Increase By NWT Power Corporation
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 625
John Pollard Hay River
Mr. Speaker, I cannot speak on behalf of the Public Utilities Board, so I cannot answer that question. We will have to wait and see what their decision is. Thank you.
Further Return To Question O529-12(2): Interim Rate Increase By Nwt Power Corporation
Question O529-12(2): Interim Rate Increase By NWT Power Corporation
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 625
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Oral questions. Mr. Antoine.
Question O530-12(2): Emerging Market Communities As Locations For New Government Facilities
Item 5: Oral Questions
June 15th, 1992
Page 625
Jim Antoine Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. In my earlier statement, I expressed concern that the government was moving away from the economic development strategy principle that emphasizes the need to assist emerging market communities realize their full economic potential. Will the Minister assure this House that the Department of Economic Development does not support the notion that emerging market communities should be penalized when feasible locations for new government facilities and institutions are being considered? Thank you.
Question O530-12(2): Emerging Market Communities As Locations For New Government Facilities
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 625
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Mr. Pollard.
Return To Question O530-12(2): Emerging Market Communities As Locations For New Government
Question O530-12(2): Emerging Market Communities As Locations For New Government Facilities
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 625
John Pollard Hay River
I think each of those things, Mr. Speaker, has to be looked upon on its own merits, but certainly this government would not penalize any community. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Return To Question O530-12(2): Emerging Market Communities As Locations For New Government
Question O530-12(2): Emerging Market Communities As Locations For New Government Facilities
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 625
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Antoine.
Supplementary To Question O530-12(2): Emerging Market Communities As Locations For New Government Facilities
Question O530-12(2): Emerging Market Communities As Locations For New Government Facilities
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 625
Jim Antoine Nahendeh
I have a supplementary for the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. Recognizing that in the feasibility study for the location of the fire aircraft maintenance facility a major factor in recommending against Fort Simpson as the favoured community was that its local economy lacked the same sophistication as Fort Smith, is the Minister willing to undertake an examination of whether recommendations in this feasibility study run contrary to the government's economic development strategy? Thank you.
Supplementary To Question O530-12(2): Emerging Market Communities As Locations For New Government Facilities
Question O530-12(2): Emerging Market Communities As Locations For New Government Facilities
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 625
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Mr. Pollard.
Further Return To Question O530-12(2): Emerging Market Communities As Locations For New Government Facilities
Question O530-12(2): Emerging Market Communities As Locations For New Government Facilities
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 625
John Pollard Hay River
Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to look at the report to look at the concerns Mr. Antoine raises, but certainly I am not willing to look at the report with any idea of making a recommendation to Madam Premier that we change our decision, which is that the base go into Fort Smith; but I will endeavour to look at that concern of Mr. Antoine's. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Further Return To Question O530-12(2): Emerging Market Communities As Locations For New Government Facilities
Question O530-12(2): Emerging Market Communities As Locations For New Government Facilities
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 625
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Antoine.
Supplementary To Question O530-12(2): Emerging Market Communities As Locations For New Government Facilities
Question O530-12(2): Emerging Market Communities As Locations For New Government Facilities
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 625
Jim Antoine Nahendeh
Thank you. Supplementary to the same Minister. What assurance can the Minister give this House that this government will not turn its back on the needs of emerging market communities to support and further develop contracting and supply sectors within their local economy?
Supplementary To Question O530-12(2): Emerging Market Communities As Locations For New Government Facilities
Question O530-12(2): Emerging Market Communities As Locations For New Government Facilities
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 625
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Mr. Pollard.
Further Return To Question O530-12(2): Emerging Market Communities As Locations For New Government Facilities
Question O530-12(2): Emerging Market Communities As Locations For New Government Facilities
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 625
John Pollard Hay River
Mr. Speaker, the Department of Public Works and the Housing Corporation have done a great deal this year to use local contractors in communities. There
have been more negotiated contracts in these emerging communities. It has been stated in this House by this government that it is our intention to try to spend more of our money, or as much of our money as possible, in the Northwest Territories and in those communities. We are trying to encourage companies who are working in the Northwest Territories to hire locally. We hope that by doing this there will be an emergence of an economy in some of these smaller communities, but we also recognize, as in Simpson's case, and I think Madam Premier also mentioned Rankin Inlet, that they need a bit of a boost to get over the top, Mr. Speaker, to reach that critical mass it takes to make those communities go. So again, the decentralization policy is playing some part in assisting those communities to get over the hump. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Further Return To Question O530-12(2): Emerging Market Communities As Locations For New Government Facilities
Question O530-12(2): Emerging Market Communities As Locations For New Government Facilities
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 626
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Oral questions. Mr. Nerysoo.