Qujannamiik. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you. I've had many requests from the community to ask or encourage the government to consider looking -- because of the abundance of surplus power in Fort Smith -- to look at possibly converting some of the government buildings from oil consumption to electricity. Since there are a couple of major projects being delivered in Fort Smith, such as the academic building and the renovations to the school, these conversions can probably take place while these renovations are being done and while these new buildings are being done. I'd like to ask if the Power Corporation is making any effort to encourage them to look at

heat by electricity, at a lower rate than if they had received it from oil. As a result, they would not only be making use of the excess power, but they would also have tremendous cost-savings to this government. I'd like to ask if that option is being looked at.

Thank you. Mr. Kidd.

Thank you. Member for Thebacha.

My last question is, how does the process...There were two other comments, one with regard to excess power for the cathedral. Currently the cathedral is under a boiler system. Because it is run by the parish, how can they approach the Power Corporation to see if they can switch from a boiler system to electric heat to be able to get...I think it's Giant Mine that gets a negotiated contract with the type of electricity they need, and other big companies that they have the ability to negotiate with. How can they request some type of negotiated price for electric heat for a building like that? What would the process be, in order to achieve something like that?

Thank you. Mr. Kidd.

Mr. Chairman, the communication is already developed between the Power Corporation and representatives of the church, and the matter is under examination.

Thank you. Member for Thebacha.

That's good to hear because I'd like to see our church being used. Mr. Chairman, I encourage the Power Corporation to look at these types of options. I'm trying to encourage them to make use of all this excess power that's going to waste that we have in the Taltson Dam.

The other comment I wanted to make was for electrical services to Salt River. I know a couple of years ago there were electrical services to Colville Lake. Colville Lake probably has a smaller population than the Salt River Reserve. I'm sure many of the treaty people would live on the reserve if they decided to place electricity in there. I would like to ask the Minister, if they decided to look at electricity for Salt River -- and I did ask it before -- how long would it take for the process to be completed, in order to achieve electricity to be run from the highway to the Salt River Reserve?

Thank you. Madam Premier.

Mr. Chairman, the discussion has taken place with the Salt River residents. What we had offered, as the Power Corporation and I, as the Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum, is the most economical way for it to be done, for the group to put in the power poles themselves and then we would string the line. What we really need is, the community -- and I think it was Mr. McDonald -- was supposed to get back to us so we can sit down and scope out the cost of the project with them putting in the power poles, then we would help them go forward to secure the necessary funds that would be within the capability of the Power Corporation to support.

I don't know why it's taking so long because we made the offer and we would like to see that outstanding offer realized and completed.

Thank you. Member for Thebacha.

Mr. Chairman, I know there was one proposal submitted, but I don't think it was passed through the band office. That's probably where some of the stumbling block is. It seems to me that the prime time could be now to install the power poles. I've talked to the chief on it, and the chief has agreed that he supports that concept of getting electricity to Salt River. I just find that now, with improvement district 18, from Alberta, negotiating that power line to Fort Fitzgerald and them having the nodwells there and putting in the power poles now, they can possibly use that equipment. Instead of bringing all this equipment back up from the south again, they can probably make use of that equipment that's around the community, to assist in putting the power poles from highway 5 in Fort Smith, into the Salt River Reserve. It would be achievable at a lesser cost than would initially be anticipated. I wonder if I could ask the indulgence of the Minister to look at that while that process of providing power is currently being done to Fort Fitzgerald. Thank you.

Thank you. Madam Premier.

Mr. Chairman, I'm certainly willing to do that. As well, I know we'll be going down to Fort Smith on December 12. It may be the opportune time to have a meeting with Mr. McDonald and the residents of Salt River, and try to come to some agreement on how we're going to move ahead with that. This is a commitment we made quite some time ago. Like I say, I would very much like to see it concluded. Thank you.

Thank you. Member for Thebacha.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'll make the necessary arrangements for such a meeting to be conducted with the band present, because of it being on a reserve. Thank you.

Thank you. General comments. Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Mr. Chairman, I have a question to the Power Corporation. I understand there are some businesses being established at the moment. I also think the power they consume would be very costly. Are they subsidized, with regard to the rates? In many businesses, it's realized that you have to pay ...(inaudible).

Could we get a clarification? I know part of the honourable Member's constituency is Sanikiluaq. Right at this point in time, that's a separate power plant and is not included, at this point, in determining rates. If it's an overall question, I wouldn't mind some clarification on where the question relates to. Is it Sanikiluaq, or is it to other communities?

Qujannamiik. Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Mr. Chairman, I'll clarify this. The people in the Baffin region, for instance Sanikiluaq, Lake Harbour or Cape Dorset, are getting their own HAP housing. I just wondered whether the people with HAP houses pay the same amount for power, or whether you do an assessment on whether they're paying the same amount for power as anyone else who is in public housing. Thank you.

Thank you. Minister for the Power Corporation.