Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have a number of comments. First of all, I would like to offer positive comments. I would like to publicly congratulate the Power Corporation for the realization of the Dogrib power project. It took a lot of hard work and a lot of skill in working with a number of organizations. It was very difficult, but I think it bodes well for development in the western Arctic. It was a job well done and I congratulate the Power Corporation on that particular project.

My second comment is about the rate zones and cost-based rates. I, for one, support the principle. It is important that in every area of the Northwest Territories, people know exactly how much it is to supply power. I think that knowledge should be public knowledge and, if there are to be subsidies, they should be outside the actual costs of delivering power. I agree with the principle. I will have some questions about the actual details of the zones and rates that are proposed, but I just want to indicate to the Power Corporation that I think they're definitely on the right track.

My third positive comment: I was, as I am sure other Members were, quite pleased to hear that the issue of privatization has at least been postponed. I have made a number of comments in this House, as have others, that I felt it was premature at this time, for a number of reasons, to consider the concept of privatization. I know for one thing that, at the appropriate time with the right financial conditions and the right political conditions -- perhaps not until after division -- there definitely should be a full debate on the pros and cons of privatization. I think it is an issue, as the Premier has said, that we should put aside for now because of timing, but it is one that, at the right time, merits a full debate. At that time, I think we can discuss it fully and make a decision for the right reasons.

Again, I want to congratulate the Minister for postponing it for now. There wasn't a consensus out there and, rather than having a debate which is counter-productive, I think this was a prudent decision. At the right time, I'm sure we'll reopen this particular debate.

I read also, Mr. Chairman, with some interest about possible changes to the Public Utilities Board. I, for one, am willing to look at those, but I really want to put it on the record that it is very important that the Public Utilities Board has public confidence and is acting as a regulator for power distribution for power companies in the Northwest Territories. There are ways to streamline and improve the process, but I wouldn't like to see anything done which takes away from the ability of the Public Utilities Board to protect the interests of the consumers in the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Chairman, I have been on record in the last three weeks indicating my concern about the process which lead the Power Corporation to ask for a 22 per cent increase as a surcharge because of low water in Yellowknife. I have put my concerns on the record. We will wait to see what the PUB has to say about that situation, but once that decision comes down, I will sum up my concerns about this process.

Suffice it to say now, I do have some concerns about the decision-making process for that sort of a decision such as: as the power of the Cabinet and the Minister; the interaction between the Power Corporation and the Minister; and, the involvement or lack of involvement of MLAs. It is an area that bears some scrutiny in the future.

I have always agreed with the premise that the Power Corporation should be run as a business and 95 per cent of the time, that works. But for something as unusual as the low-water situation in the Snare system and for something that has such a profound impact on a relatively small number of consumers, I think perhaps we should look at a better approach to deal with that situation. At the appropriate time, I will have some more to say on this situation.

Generally, I don't have a problem with the capital budget of the Power Corporation. I think that they are attempting to deal with needs in the communities throughout the Northwest Territories. I hope, in the future, for some of the more difficult and controversial decisions that the Power Corporation will have to make, that they will find a better process of consultation and communication than they might have found in the past. With that, Mr. Chairman, that concludes my opening comments. I will have two or three questions during the detail of the budget, but that is it for now. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.