Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have raised the issue of Inuvik's high temperature system many times. This system was built back in the days of the federal government and has been handed down to the Government of the Northwest Territories and is managed by the NWT Power Corporation.
The system was built to provide water and sewer services as well as provide heat to many government buildings such as the hospital, schools and government staff houses. Mr. Speaker, since the sale of staff houses, many people have pulled off the system as a cost-saving measure. As people pulled off the system, the revenues dropped. As the revenues dropped, the cost of operating the system was passed on to the remaining customers.
The majority of these customers are government departments. There are, however, a number of private customers who are being severely impacted by the decision to pass the full cost of operating the high temperature system onto the remaining customers.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Mr. Todd and the Members of Cabinet for agreeing to put forward the dollars to convert the system and bringing it up to the 20th century standards. This will, indeed, help the government departments provide a cost efficient service, but we must also address the issue of private customers affected by these added costs. For example, Mr. Speaker, a private customer on the high temperature system, during the colder months of the year could be paying as much as $1,300 per month for the heat alone. Mr. Speaker, I will be addressing questions to the appropriate Minister at the appropriate time. Thank you.
--Applause