This is page numbers 211 - 238 of the Hansard for the 12th Assembly, 6th 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 information.

Supplementary To Question 110-12(6): GNWT Intervention Into Pub Rate Increase Hearing
Question 110-12(6): GNWT Intervention Into Pub Rate Increase Hearing
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 222

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Madam Premier.

Further Return To Question 110-12(6): GNWT Intervention Into Pub Rate Increase Hearing
Question 110-12(6): GNWT Intervention Into Pub Rate Increase Hearing
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 222

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Madam Speaker, in looking over the submissions to the Public Utilities Board, those submissions are specific and I don't see anything with regard to subsidy. It's only dealing with the operations of the Power Corporation in terms of a number of issues the Member is aware of, in terms of low water, the issue of decreases or

increases in an automatic way on the fuel adjustment and the general rate review. Madam Speaker, I would assume that intervenors would be subject to the terms and conditions of what is being presented. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Further Return To Question 110-12(6): GNWT Intervention Into Pub Rate Increase Hearing
Question 110-12(6): GNWT Intervention Into Pub Rate Increase Hearing
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 223

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Patterson.

Supplementary To Question 110-12(6): GNWT Intervention Into Pub Rate Increase Hearing
Question 110-12(6): GNWT Intervention Into Pub Rate Increase Hearing
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 223

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

I guess what I'm getting at, Madam Speaker -- and I'll ask the Premier this question in a different way -- if the power rates go up in my community, as they are forecast to do, then if the formula doesn't change, the government subsidy to domestic users outside Yellowknife will have to increase. Where do I go, as the MLA representing my constituency, to find out whether the subsidy will still be in place and will increase if the power rates go up? Who is going to provide me with that assurance about the future of the government subsidy program for users outside Yellowknife? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 110-12(6): GNWT Intervention Into Pub Rate Increase Hearing
Question 110-12(6): GNWT Intervention Into Pub Rate Increase Hearing
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 223

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Madam Premier.

Further Return To Question 110-12(6): GNWT Intervention Into Pub Rate Increase Hearing
Question 110-12(6): GNWT Intervention Into Pub Rate Increase Hearing
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 223

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Madam Speaker, that is a government policy and the government policy has not changed. I have not found any indication or movement for the government to get out of providing a subsidy. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Further Return To Question 110-12(6): GNWT Intervention Into Pub Rate Increase Hearing
Question 110-12(6): GNWT Intervention Into Pub Rate Increase Hearing
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 223

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Patterson.

Supplementary To Question 110-12(6): GNWT Intervention Into Pub Rate Increase Hearing
Question 110-12(6): GNWT Intervention Into Pub Rate Increase Hearing
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 223

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

I am very pleased to have the Premier's assurance that the power subsidy program won't change in this Legislature but, I guess my simple question is, will the government be making a presentation of that kind to the Public Utilities Board so that when the Public Utilities Board looks at the issue they will also be able to take into account the government's future intentions about the subsidy program. Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 110-12(6): GNWT Intervention Into Pub Rate Increase Hearing
Question 110-12(6): GNWT Intervention Into Pub Rate Increase Hearing
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 223

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Madam Premier.

Further Return To Question 110-12(6): GNWT Intervention Into Pub Rate Increase Hearing
Question 110-12(6): GNWT Intervention Into Pub Rate Increase Hearing
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 223

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Madam Speaker, it is my understanding that the subsidy is a government program and that the Public Utilities Board does not make any determination on what the government decides to provide as a social policy or a program policy to the residents of the Northwest Territories. I believe, Madam Speaker, these are two distinct, separate issues. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 110-12(6): GNWT Intervention Into Pub Rate Increase Hearing
Question 110-12(6): GNWT Intervention Into Pub Rate Increase Hearing
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 223

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Patterson, your previous question was a final supplementary. I should have pointed it out to you, but I thought you would know that. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. Gargan.

Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Renewable Resources, Mr. Arngna'naaq. Yesterday, I asked a question regarding the toxins in the river, and I really didn't receive any kind of answer to that question except to say that he cannot respond with absolute surety at this point what the level of toxins are in the river. Then he went on to say, during my last question and my final supplementary, that he was the first one to sign the agreement and the Minister of Indian Affairs and Alberta, British Columbia and the Yukon territory have yet to sign the agreement. But I also asked whether or not this government is doing anything regarding the quality of water on the Mackenzie River, and there doesn't seem to be any response or any kind of indication that the government is in fact doing anything about the quality of water on the Mackenzie-Slave River system. I would like to ask the Minister if there is anything that this government is doing to ensure the level of safety with regard to toxins in the waters.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister of Renewable Resources, Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Return To Question 111-12(6): Water Quality Monitoring
Question 111-12(6): Water Quality Monitoring
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 223

Silas Arngna'naaq Kivallivik

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The reason I responded in the way I did yesterday to the honourable Member is because we are not the leading agency when it comes to water management. Water management is an area which is a difficult area to manage because it is flowing, something that carries, does not know any boundaries and, at this point, is the responsibility of either Fisheries and Oceans or the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs. However, in response to the Member's question regarding toxins in the Mackenzie River, yes, there is some monitoring that takes place. However, that is something that is being done by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. Because waters and the quality of water in our jurisdiction are an important part of our lives in the Northwest Territories, we make contributions to the monitoring of water in the Mackenzie River. But, Madam Speaker, we are not the leading agency in the monitoring of the water. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Return To Question 111-12(6): Water Quality Monitoring
Question 111-12(6): Water Quality Monitoring
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 223

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Gargan.

Question 112-12(6): Testing To Ensure Safety Of Drinking Water
Item 6: Oral Questions

October 11th, 1994

Page 223

Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

Mahsi, Minister. Madam Speaker, I would like to redirect my question to the Minister of Health and Social Services with regard to the monitoring of the water and the quality of water on the Mackenzie River which is directly affected by factories upstream from it. I would like to ask the Minister of Health and Social Services if her department is doing any monitoring regarding the quality of water to ensure that the water quality is healthy to drink.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Mr. Gargan, I consider that as a new question to a new Minister. Minister of Health and Social Services, Madam Premier.

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Madam Speaker, I will provide that answer so I will take the question as notice. Thank you.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Iqaluit, Mr. Patterson.

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I now understand that the whole question of the subsidy paid by the government to power users outside Yellowknife is not a matter for the Public Utilities Board. However, since the Public Utilities Board is considering new rates, and since those new rates, if approved, will affect the subsidy and the amount required to be paid by the government on the subsidy, I would like to ask the Premier, how will the people of the Northwest Territories be informed about the subsidy program if not through the Public Utilities Board hearings. Thank you.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister responsible for the Power Corporation, Madam Premier.

Return To Question 113-12(6): Notification Of Changes To Power Subsidy Program
Question 113-12(6): Notification Of Changes To Power Subsidy Program
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 224

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Madam Speaker, I thought I had answered the question. The subsidy is a government program and, at this time, there is no anticipation of changing and not providing the subsidy. Certainly the Government of the Northwest Territories will have to deliberate if there should be any changes. So I would assume, if you are asking the question of how you would know, the issue would be addressed right here. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Return To Question 113-12(6): Notification Of Changes To Power Subsidy Program
Question 113-12(6): Notification Of Changes To Power Subsidy Program
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 224

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Patterson.

Supplementary To Question 113-12(6): Notification Of Changes To Power Subsidy Program
Question 113-12(6): Notification Of Changes To Power Subsidy Program
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 224

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I appreciated the Premier's answer that at this time, there is no intention to change the subsidies. But since we are in the last year of the term of this government, I would like to ask the Premier how this subsidy program is defined. Is it defined by policy? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 113-12(6): Notification Of Changes To Power Subsidy Program
Question 113-12(6): Notification Of Changes To Power Subsidy Program
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 224

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Madam Premier.