Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as Members of the Assembly we have access to an abundance of information that we try to stay ahead of. I can only imagine that it is difficult for the public to keep informed and decipher fact from fiction with the information that they glean through our public proceedings, through the media et cetera. Today, Mr. Speaker, I would like to assist the public by clarifying an issue dealing with the Northwest Territories Power Corporation, based on concerns which have been raised to me by the public.
Several months ago, after the release of Footprints in the Snow 2 and after a very comprehensive briefing of Members by senior officials of the Power Corporation, there was general agreement by the GNWT, federal government and NTI that the Power Corporation would remain as a single entity. The two new governments would be the shareholders. This general agreement, in my opinion, addressed the immediate future of the Power Corporation's operations. However, it would appear that a persistent myth in the west that we are subsidizing power rates in Nunavut is still out there. This myth, in turn, feeds ongoing debate surrounding division of the Power Corporation.
It is important for the public to understand the following points: First, the rate structure of the NWT Power Corporation is such that there is no, I repeat, no cross subsidy between Nunavut and the West. Each rate zone supports itself. Secondly, there is a subsidy for power rates, but that subsidy is through the territorial Power Support Program, not the NWT Power Corporation. The Power Corporation neither administers nor has any authority over this support program.
Quite frankly, I find the often revisiting and reopening of this issue to be disturbing. First of all, it appears that a part of the discussion is predicated on misinformation regarding cross subsidization. It creates confusion, not to mention apprehension on the part of the employees and it is very likely driven by individuals representing interests relating to privatization which only complicates matters at this junction in time. It also takes away time that should be spent on the many outstanding issues relating to division. I hope that this information provides some clarification to the public. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
-- Applause