Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, a major concern I have with the potential sale of the Northwest Territories Power Corporation and its effect on the present joint ventures this government has with aboriginal governments is in regard to the Power Corporation and their involvement with finding unique ways to deal with the problems we have in our communities, with the high cost of energy and also a waste of energy with regard to heat recovery.

Mr. Speaker, in Fort McPherson, Aadrii Ltd. distributes waste heat generated by the Power Corporation from the generators they have and the heat is being used to conserve energy. Also in Inuvik, the Inuvialuit Development Corporation are now selling natural gas to the Power Corporation to supply a cheap form of energy, but also assisting communities to bring down the cost of energy in that community.

Mr. Speaker, with this sale, I feel the corporation was on the right track when it decided to find new ways, new initiatives and new ideas to work with communities, aboriginal government and aboriginal corporations to find new ways to deal with the high cost of energy in our communities and also to look at ways of sharing resources and revenues that come from these joint ventures. I, for one, feel that this will be sending the wrong message to communities and aboriginal governments. Regardless of what size the community or project is, will you have the ability or opportunity to take on economic opportunities in your communities by selling to one large company or even several small companies?

I think opportunities are limited in our communities and limited in our regions. We have to find unique ways of trying to take advantage of those opportunities. I was hoping the corporation would continue striving to work with communities and aboriginal governments to find these unique ventures and form joint ventures to deal with the high cost of energy in our communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause