Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, considerable time and effort have been put into discussions surrounding the NWT Power Corporation. Recently, public hearings were held in Iqaluit and Yellowknife. Because of concerns with the process of what to do with the Power Corporation after division, the legislation proposal has been delayed.

Mr. Speaker, maybe we should review some of the history of the Power Corporation. Basically, the Northern Canada Power Commission was set up to provide electricity to northern residents and was a federal Crown corporation. Today, the NTPC is a territorially controlled corporation that delivers an essential service to all residents of the Northwest Territories. Some would have us believe that the Power Corporation's customers in the west are subsidizing Nunavut communities. Yesterday, the Minister responsible said, and I quote from the unedited Hansard: "Western communities are in no way subsidizing any Nunavut communities." That is from the unedited Hansard from yesterday, Mr. Speaker.

The Power Corporation is owned by all territorial residents. It was paid for by all residents. A majority of territorial residents voted for division. We did not vote to treat one area of the territories differently or unfairly. We decided as residents, endorsed by a public vote, to divide, Mr. Speaker, to divide equally. Mr. Speaker, that includes liabilities and, Mr. Speaker, that includes assets like the Power Corporation. Mr. Speaker, it is time to move past east/west rhetoric and do what is right for all residents - east and west. The Power Corporation is an asset shared equally by all residents. That is what has to be remembered after division. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause