I know the Premier and I have a difference of opinion on a couple of matters here. The Premier knows that I'm very much against privatization at this particular time. But, I do see some advantages of joint-venturing with the private sector. The Premier knows that what has given me some concern over the years is that we really have two power companies operating in the Northwest Territories. NUL now distributes about 40 per cent of the power, something like that. The problem I see is two companies competing in a small market. The end result could be quite destructive, I think.
It's always been my very strong conviction that the Power Corporation and Northland Utilities should sit down and see if they can work out some positive working relationships. Northland Utilities also has access to tremendous expertise, because of their ties with Canadian Utilities. It seems it is a reality that they're here and it seems they want to stay here. There is quite a bit of northern ownership in that company and I've never seen the positive side of not being able to sit down and work something out between those two companies.
I see that there is a lot to be gained by Northland Utilities and the Power Corporation sitting down and talking about areas of expertise and how they can help each other. I think this could be done without privatization. I think you can have the best elements of privatization, as far as having those sort of relationships with the private sector, but still maintain control by not having to privatize. I would ask what the Minister's thoughts are about that and if there is any effort to have the Power Corporation and Northland Utilities to sit down to see if they could work out some of these areas.
I have a sense that, in the long term, unless that happens, I don't think it's going to be good for the Power Corporation, for Northland Utilities, but, more importantly, for the people of the territories, if this sort of thing isn't worked out.