Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, the Standing Committee on Finance had hoped to review the trends of power costs and outages by community. The NWT Power Corporation had over 120 days to respond to the committee's request for this information, but failed to do so until recently.

The committee believes that the Power Corporation has a responsibility to take the initiative to bring down electrical costs, particularly in view of the major impact that these costs have on the total cost of living in the north. The fact that the Power Corporation has a monopoly selling electrical energy outside of the major centres, should not prevent them from competitively pricing electricity.

Committee Members expressed concern that the corporation does not appear to be operating efficiently and effectively. The Assembly has approved a motion for a comprehensive audit which must be followed up by the Premier. We all agree it should be operated in a more business-like manner.

We asked the Power Corporation for some measure of customer satisfaction. A simple survey would provide the necessary initial feedback. The corporation's response that consumer satisfaction is linked to demand side management, and any major initiative has to receive public utilities board approval, seemed extraordinarily bureaucratic.

More work must be done to study the merits of privatization of the Power Corporation. Caution must be taken because of the public policy implications of this essential service.

Energy, Mines And Petroleum Resources

The Department of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources should also be probing ways and means to bring down electrical and fuel costs in the Northwest Territories.

Finally, the committee supports the Minister's efforts to expand the exploration and development of mines and promote the development of related infrastructures, particularly where northern benefits are maximized. However, we believe that these efforts should become an integral part of an overall publicly stated strategy.

Executive

In our introductory comments, we have talked extensively about leadership and vision. It is the Government Leader's job to provide the vision. It is the central agency's role to provide direction and support to program and service departments, as required. The evidence shows that departments and agencies are not getting the necessary direction and support from the Department of the Executive. In response to a 1992-93 -- I wonder, Mr. Chairman, if I should be stopping here. I think I will stop here, although I am getting on a role, because now we are getting into the Department of Executive.