Question.
Debates of Nov. 4th, 1994
Topics
Committee Motion 69-12(6): To Adopt Recommendation 1, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 762
An Hon. Member
Committee Motion 69-12(6): To Adopt Recommendation 1, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 762
The Chair Brian Lewis
Question is being called. All those in favour? Those opposed? Motion is carried.
---Carried
Mr. Koe.
Policy Recommendations By The Council
Committee Motion 69-12(6): To Adopt Recommendation 1, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 762
Fred Koe Inuvik
Mahsi, Mr. Chairman. Mahsi, colleagues. The council also has a mandate to provide recommendations to the Minister on issues and policies associated with the arts and artists. But members of the council have difficulty meeting this part of their mandate, given that they only meet for about four days a year. The department should seriously consider the trade-off between spending a little more to allow the council to meet longer or more often, and the possible value of policy recommendations which may then be made by the council.
Council Membership
At present, the council has six members. However, it has been suggested that the council's membership be increased to seven: one member representing Yellowknife, three from the rest of the western Arctic, and three from the eastern Arctic. The standing committee agrees with the council and the Minister that this would provide improved regional representation on the council.
I have a recommendation, Mr. Chairman.
Committee Motion 70-12(6): To Adopt Recommendation 2, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 762
Fred Koe Inuvik
I move that this committee recommends that the Northwest Territories Arts Council policy be amended to provide for a total membership of seven on the Arts Council.
Committee Motion 70-12(6): To Adopt Recommendation 2, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 762
The Chair Brian Lewis
Your motion is in order, Mr. Koe. To the motion.
Committee Motion 70-12(6): To Adopt Recommendation 2, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 763
An Hon. Member
Question.
Committee Motion 70-12(6): To Adopt Recommendation 2, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 763
The Chair Brian Lewis
Question is being called. All those in favour? Those opposed? The motion is carried.
---Carried
Mr. Koe.
Committee Motion 71-12(6): To Adopt Recommendation 3, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
November 3rd, 1994
Page 763
Fred Koe Inuvik
I have a final recommendation, Mr. Chairman. I move that this committee recommends that, in accordance with rule 93(5), the Executive Council table a comprehensive response to the recommendations contained in this report within 120 days of the presentation of this report in the House.
Committee Motion 71-12(6): To Adopt Recommendation 3, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 763
The Chair Brian Lewis
Your motion is in order, Mr. Koe. To the motion.
Committee Motion 71-12(6): To Adopt Recommendation 3, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 763
An Hon. Member
Question.
Committee Motion 71-12(6): To Adopt Recommendation 3, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 763
The Chair Brian Lewis
Question is being called. All those in favour? Those opposed? The motion is carried.
---Carried
Mr. Koe.
Committee Motion 71-12(6): To Adopt Recommendation 3, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 763
Fred Koe Inuvik
Mahsi, Mr. Chairman. That concludes the report of the Standing Committee on Agencies, Boards and Commissions on the Northwest Territories Arts Council. I would like to thank the members of the present Arts Council, it's chairman, Sue Rose, and all the previous members of the Arts Council for the work that they've done over the years. I would like to thank all the artists throughout the north for their contribution to our economy, and for the work they've done for the north. I would also like to thank the department, the officials who have been supporting this council over the years, and the Minister and his staff for their support in preparing this review. Finally, I would like to thank the Members of the committee. Mahsi.
Committee Motion 71-12(6): To Adopt Recommendation 3, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 763
The Chair Brian Lewis
Thank you, Mr. Koe. Do Members agree that we have today finished this item?
Committee Motion 71-12(6): To Adopt Recommendation 3, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 763
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Committee Motion 71-12(6): To Adopt Recommendation 3, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 763
The Chair Brian Lewis
Thank you, Mr. Koe. Next on the list given by Mr. Dent on your behalf, we go to Bill 8, An Act to Amend the Public Utilities Act.
Committee Motion 71-12(6): To Adopt Recommendation 3, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 763
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Bill 8: An Act To Amend The Public Utilities Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 763
The Chair Brian Lewis
Is the Minister responsible for this act ready to make some opening comments? Mr. Todd.
Minister's Introductory Remarks
Bill 8: An Act To Amend The Public Utilities Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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John Todd Keewatin Central
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This is Bill 8, An Act to Amend the Public Utilities Act. The intent of this legislation is the implementation of a levy to recover from rate applicants approximately 50 per cent of the costs of the operation of the PUB.
Prior to the introduction of this legislation, an analysis of the impact of this levy on ratepayers was undertaken. This analysis has shown that a 50 per cent cost recovery would on average cost each ratepayer 34 cents per billing, on a monthly consumption of 700 kilowatts, for a total of $4.08 per year.
Mr. Chairman, the Standing Committee on Legislation proposed several amendments to the proposed act during their review that the government and my office has concurred with. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mahsi cho.
Bill 8: An Act To Amend The Public Utilities Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 763
The Chair Brian Lewis
Thank you very much, Mr. Todd. On behalf of the Standing Committee on Legislation, Mr. Whitford, do you have a committee report for us? Mr. Whitford.
Standing Committee On Legislation Comments
Bill 8: An Act To Amend The Public Utilities Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 763
Tony Whitford Yellowknife South
Thank you, good afternoon. Mr. Chairman, the Standing Committee on Legislation has had the opportunity to review Bill 8, An Act to Amend the Public Utilities Act. The committee held public hearings in Yellowknife on September 1, 1994. The standing committee heard representations from the town of Hay River and the city of Yellowknife. Both municipalities expressed great concern over the proposed amendment to the Public Utilities Act.
The municipalities stated that, in their view, the proposed amendment is not warranted, nor is it necessary. They felt that the amendment amounts to nothing more than an additional tax for utility customers. The standing committee is concerned with the possibility that the consumer will be facing increases to their utility bills; not only once, but twice. It appears that the down loading of the costs to upgrade the Public Utilities Board will be carried by the consumer, levied once by the utility to recoup their costs and in tax-based communities, increases in taxes by the municipalities trying to recover their increased costs.
The standing committee was also concerned that the percentage of the operating costs of the utilities board that is to be recovered was not stated or limited by the legislation. The percentage was to be fixed, by order of the Commissioner. The committee, with the agreement of the Minister, amended Bill 8 to ensure that the percentage fixed each fiscal year was not greater than 50 per cent of the actual operating costs.
On September 9, 1994, the Standing Committee on Legislation passed a motion that Bill 8, An Act to Amend the Public Utilities
Act was ready for consideration in committee of the whole. So concludes the report, Mr. Chairman.
Bill 8: An Act To Amend The Public Utilities Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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The Chair Brian Lewis
Thank you very much, Mr. Whitford, for that report from the Standing Committee on Legislation. Mr. Todd, would you like to have the help of witnesses? Do Members agree that Mr. Todd can bring his witnesses in?
Bill 8: An Act To Amend The Public Utilities Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 764
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Bill 8: An Act To Amend The Public Utilities Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 764
The Chair Brian Lewis
Mr. Sergeant-at-Arms, conduct the witnesses to the table, please.
For the record, Mr. Todd, perhaps you could introduce your witness for us.
Bill 8: An Act To Amend The Public Utilities Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 764
John Todd Keewatin Central
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. On my immediate right is Mrs. Carol Whitehouse, who is the legislative counsel.
Bill 8: An Act To Amend The Public Utilities Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 764
The Chair Brian Lewis
Thank you, and welcome. Do Members have any general comments, statements or questions about this bill? Mr. Dent.
General Comments