Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister responsible for the NWT Power Corporation. My question is, in light of the fact this a public utility that provides an essential service and is of significant interest to the people of the Northwest Territories, could the Minister outline the process that is going to be followed to get the input necessary to make a final decision on what the structure will look like after division? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the process would be to take a decision paper to the division committee and to Cabinet to get approval for the process as to how the Corporation would be structured going into division. Along the way, presentations and information sessions will be held with interested individuals and groups throughout the Territories to discuss the issue. The final decision, of course will have to be, like the budget, debated on the floor of this House. The government has taken a position and will be promoting that position just as we have in preparing a budget. It has to be approved by the Members of this House on the floor. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When this decision paper is brought before the public and taken around, will it be with an eye towards getting feedback and seeing what the stakeholders have to say? As opposed to here is a decision paper we want to tell you about, but there is no feedback that we are really interested in. Will there be a chance for meaningful input from the stakeholders in the public?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Power Corporation is one of the assets that we will have to discuss during a division of assets and liabilities of the east and west. No, I do not think we had planned on a broad public consultation on this process. I think that we, in this House, act as representatives and spokespeople for the people that elected us, that we represent. I think we are expecting the discussion will take place largely within this Chamber. As I said, the Power Corporation has itself already embarked on a process of advising people what the recommendation will be. The process is underway and it will come back to this House for the public debate.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Could the Minister indicate what he anticipates the time lines will be to the point where the paper with the position on it will come into this House for the debate he has just referenced? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this will obviously be tied to the whole division of assets and liabilities questioned for across the territories. It is not within my area of responsibility to set the time table for that. I expect it will happen relatively soon, certainly within the next 750 days or so. I would expect it will take place a lot more quickly than that. No, I cannot give a precise time table. I am hoping to move the process forward within the next few months if possible. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is a critical utility and there is, from what I have heard, considerable interest from the people as to what is going to happen to this particular organization. The Minister is not able to be very precise on the time lines. Could he indicate at least when it is brought forward it will not be buried, and sort of slid through? There will be an opportunity to debate this clearly identified in the plan so there is plenty of time for the people in the Northwest Territories and in the western Arctic, and the constituency I represent to have a full idea of what they are walking into after division? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I do not think anything is likely to be buried in this debate. I think there will be significant interest among all Members of this House as we talk about the issue of dividing assets and liabilities. It will be part of the overall package. I do not think it will be singled out as something individual.

Having said that, Mr. Speaker, there will be parliament for specific legislation relating to the Power Corporation. It will provide an opportunity somewhat separate from the rest of the debate, if that is what Members are looking for. I would think that is the wrong approach. It is, as the Member has said, part of the overall division of assets and liabilities that we all need to take a look at. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.