Mr. Speaker, I thought I had answered that question. I would like an opportunity to check the question again, and I will take it as notice.

The question has been taken as notice. Oral questions. Mr. Koe.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday I asked the Minister responsible for the Power Corporation, and the Minister responsible for the Public Utilities Board responded, so my question is for the Minister responsible for the Public Utilities Board regarding the six per cent interim increase in power rates. I was not satisfied with the response, and I still have not received the information. I am wondering whether or not the Power Corporation can substantiate the interim increase, and that leads me to believe there is probably another increase that may occur. I know that they are going to hold hearings, and these take time. My question is, can

the Minister tell me what powers the Public Utilities Board has in place to rescind these increases should they not be fully justified by the Power Corporation, and how will consumers be reimbursed for payments they have made in the interim?

Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, there is a letter on its way to Mr. Koe in this regard. I reviewed the draft of it this morning. The Public Utilities Board can roll back any increases. It can roll back those increases retroactively, and it has the ability to make sure that those overpayments, as they would be called then, are refunded to those people who had paid. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I would caution Members that when they are posing a question that is hypothetical in nature, it is counter to our rules and practices in this House. Oral questions. Mr. Arvaluk.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Education. As he is aware, there are 12 students that are training to become teachers and they have completed a year. My question is, how can he tell us they need people in the Keewatin, if he wants to allocate funding? Because the government is in a deficit, how can he reserve more money if we were just to seek social assistance? Can the Minister answer my question? If his answer is 'Yes, the funding is available", it is discouraging to see the teacher training come to a halt. Thank you.

Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. No, the department is not trying to hold back on the resources that are dedicated for this program. Currently, the department has expanded its budget for this program for this year. I recognize the importance of this program for the Keewatin Region as well as throughout the Northwest Territories. I have asked my officials to work with the region to find ways so that these teacher trainees could be put into the program with the innovation of the budget or resources that are available to us. If I have to, I will go back to my cabinet colleagues to ask for additional resources. At this time, I have asked my department to find ways to put these people on the program. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Todd.

This question is to the Minister responsible for Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. As the Minister knows, I have expressed on a number of occasions my concern about the way in which the NWT Power Corporation operates. The people in the Keewatin need the assurance of a cost-effective and dependable supply of electrical power. My question to the Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources is, would the Minister consider contacting her counterpart in Winnipeg, the Minister responsible for Manitoba Hydro, to initiate discussions of the feasibility of extending Manitoba's hydro power line northward into the Keewatin

communities?

Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, I did mention the meeting that took place at the Western Premiers' Conference. At that time, there was a great deal of discussion about potential for interlocking agreements. I would like to express, as well, that the chairman of the board of the Power Corporation has had discussions. He has already stated that if there is a possibility of extending a line that would be more cost effective and provide reliable power to the Keewatin, that we would be working with the provinces to support that development. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Todd.

Would the Minister, then, be prepared to state that before any additional capital expenditure is required for an expansion of power plants within the Keewatin Region, that at least some initial discussions would take place to determine the feasibility of an extension of the hydro grid from Manitoba Hydro into the Keewatin communities?

Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, the short answer to that is, yes. I would like to give credit to the people who are working in that those discussions have already begun. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Todd.

If these discussions are under way, will the Minister provide this House or myself with a copy of these discussions?

Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, I can give the time and place when the discussions have taken place at the Western Premiers' Conference and the initial discussions that the chairman of the board has had with certain officials. Thank you.

Oral Questions. Mr. Gargan.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. (Translation) I want to ask the Minister of Justice about the flood waters from Fort Providence to Horn River. Some houses were severely damaged. These cabins are used by people who go there for fishing and hunting. I would like to ask the Minister if there is any way he could help the people whose cabins were damaged.

Mr. Minister.