(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have a question with regard to the corporation's staff housing. I would like to know if the staff housing is for sale or if the staff houses have been sold already. I know that you are able to buy staff housing. I would like to know, according your policy, how many units have been sold to date.

To date, two units have been sold and three are in the process of sale. We have not had an across the board offering of units. One, because we do not have title of them all; and two, we are reviewing each community on its own to ensure that it's practical to do it in that community.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Where are the units that have been sold located? Are they in Yellowknife? Of the ones that have not been sold yet, where are they located? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

The two units that have been sold, one is in Fort Smith and one is in Resolute. There are three more in the process, all in Fort Smith.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have a short question. The 15 per cent that's going to be realized is only for the staff of the Power Corporation, or could anyone buy those units using the 15 per cent lower rate? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

The rental rates are increasing 15 per cent to all employees. As we determine that the housing within a community can be sold, it is first offered to the employee in the unit then if they decline to purchase it, it would be offered to other corporation employees. If no one exercises the option to purchase it, it would then go to the general public in a tender process, and anyone could purchase it.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My first question has to do with negotiations going on right now with the Dogrib Nation, as they try to put together a financial package so they can embark upon their hydro project. Perhaps the Minister could give us an update as to how those financial discussions are going. How close are we to a positive solution to the problems that have faced them?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The contractual arrangement that the Northwest Territories Power Corporation has with the Dogrib Power project has enabled, I believe, the financiers to look very favourably on the project. As well, when the bids came in, it appeared that rather than the $30 million that was looked at as the outside price, the cost came in at about $22.5 million as the amount that Dogrib Power would have to raise to do the project. Right now Dogrib Power is in negotiations to raise their equity. If the project can be constructed for a price between $22 million and $23 million, it would appear that there wouldn't be too much difficulty for them to raise their equity.

Once they raise their equity, my understanding is that the amount they would have to raise as a loan wouldn't be very difficult. At this moment, I know that Dogrib Power is working very hard to make sure they can get the 15 per cent equity required to proceed. They are working with the Minister of Economic Development and the Canadian aboriginal development program, and are very close to raising the equity that is required. They've asked for a 60-day extension with the Northwest Territories Power Corporation so they can have the time to raise the equity. It appears that they are very close at this time.

Thank you. I'm happy to hear that. That's one area where I've supported the Minister and the Power Corporation from the beginning. This project is a key to unlock hydro potential in the Northwest territories. I hope the Minister will keep us updated as to the progress of the negotiations.

My next question to the Minister is one that causes me some concern. If, for instance, a lot of things happen and we end up in a situation where mining companies have fairly large power demands, does the Minister feel that the corporation has, at hand, enough depth of technical and management expertise to handle the big, big projects that are on the horizon?

Mr. Chairman, if the Member is asking if we have them on staff, this discussion has taken place at the board of directors and also at the staff level. The general expertise that is required is contracted out, as the need arises, because it is very specialized. The energies are focused towards trying to determine, with the major players in this area, what their power needs are and how they can be supplied.

The Member is very well aware that many of these large projects require multi-megawatts of energy and the best and most sure energy is hydro. The Power Corporation has spent a great deal of time in assessing some of the sites that are within range of the areas that have the greatest potential. In a couple of areas where there is potential, the aboriginal groups have made it very clear that some particular areas are not to be developed and they would not consent. Until such time as we can match the needs with the locations that are acceptable, the expertise will be contracted out as it is required.

It would be premature to hire staff people on a full-time basis when that expertise is available on a contractual basis. Thank you.

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.

I agree with the Member that we have to maintain the integrity of our investment. I think it is paramount, and I feel it is my responsibility how that is enhanced or protected. We have had a couple of meetings with Canadian Utilities recently, however they were very preliminary discussions. So those discussions are going to go on. Thank you.