Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, there are just a few things I would like to comment on. No doubt, as I had stated in the House earlier, we were concerned as a community with regards to the impact of the low-water surcharge that was placed on our utility bills. Mainly because in Fort Smith we do know that we have an excess amount of power. The current capacity of the Taltson dam, I believe, is 18 megawatts. I think we are only using eight megawatts, we used to use 18 when Pine Point was operating. So there is a fair amount of excess power in Fort Smith. And when people received this low-water rate rider charge on their utility bill, there was a fair amount of concern expressed to me on that.
I did try to advise them that it was the Public Utilities Board's decision and it was only for a short period of time. It was something that the total territories had to absorb. So, therefore, I am pleased to hear that they are going to consider some type of fund to address this.
However, I noted in the chairman's comments --not so much the Minister's, but the corporation's --comments of, possibly, if the Yellowknife system is below average, or if the hydro production in the Snare/Yellowknife system is below average as budgeted, a general rate application may be filed with the PUB to increase rates. I am wondering whether or not this would be because of, possibly, low water. We have had a fairly dry winter overall. I am wondering whether or not, as soon as this low-water rate rider is finished, possibly, there could be another rate increase requested. So, I would like to ask the Minister that.
But I also wanted to make a couple of other general comments with regard to the Power Corporation. Currently, as I have heard the Minister state earlier, Yellowknife uses approximately 35 megawatts -- I thought they used 48 --five through turbine and 30 through diesel. I know that in Fort Smith, as I said, there is 18 megawatts with the current capacity and they do have extra turbine capabilities for an additional 10 megawatts which would bring it to 28 and only eight is being used. I wonder if the Power Corporation has ever considered any concepts something like submarine cable, which is something similar to what Vancouver Island is using. It is fed by submarine cable for their electricity needs.
Just overall, Mr. Chairman, there are a couple of comments that I want to make. I want to first of all express my appreciation to the Power Corporation for placing in an electricity line to the Salt River Reserve. I am certainly aware of the band being fully appreciative of that. However, I don't think the switch has been turned on as of yet and I don't know when the power will be given to the Salt River Reserve. But I know the Salt River First Nations has appreciated all the efforts they have received from the Power Corporation.
There have been some concerns from constituents, and I have noted that the Minister has made those remarks with respect to Treaty 8 and certain Treaty 8 individuals, with regard to some type of claim compensation for trap lines that have been, basically, affected by the Taltson dam years ago. I have noted that in the Minister's remarks she did indicate that they would be hoping to address them and resolve the impacts during the term of their licence. So I look forward to some of those concerns with regard to compensation issues for some of my constituents that have been affected by the ...(Microphone turned off)
Mr. Chairman, I did want to state one concern that I continually hear in my constituency, and I have expressed this to the Minister a number of times. There has been a fair amount of concern about the tack of affirmative action candidates which are being hired by our local NWTPC office. I certainly hope that the Minister and the corporation can find a method to increase the number of affirmative action candidates that are being hired by that local office. I certainly believe that it is not that people are not capable, we do have many electricians, we have many capable educated people in Fort Smith, but I believe that it is the attitude that is prevalent in some of the personnel; not some of the personnel, but the management of the NWT Power Corporation in the Fort Smith office, that prevent affirmative action candidates from being hired. So, I certainly hope we can see an increase of affirmative action candidates to be hired within the NWT Power Corporation in Fort Smith. With that, I thank you, Mr. Chairman, for the opportunity for making these remarks.