Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to talk about an issue that has been tearing at the very fabric that makes up the community of Hay River. Mr. Speaker, I am referring to the roles of the Northwest Territories Power Corporation and Northland Utilities in the provision and distribution of electrical power to Hay River, and more importantly, Mr. Speaker, the role of this government in that process.

Mr. Speaker, the residents of Hay River were extremely happy back in 1988 when it was decided that the Northwest Territories Power Corporation head office would be located in Hay River and rightfully so, Mr. Speaker. The corporation has lifted the community enormously with jobs and financial resources. Hay River was also very fortunate, Mr. Speaker, in having another great company, Northland Utilities, that has been supplying power to the town for the last 50 years and it has been very beneficial both with jobs and financial resources.

The present franchise agreement with Hay River and Northland Utilities will expire in June 2001. In view of that fact, Mr. Speaker, the town council put out a request for proposals for a new franchise agreement which they felt was well within their mandate. This, Mr. Speaker, set off a chain of events too numerous to mention here. The town did receive two proposals that they felt would bring some benefits to the residents of Hay River. A decision was to be announced on September 18th; however, due to the amount of public opinion that was generated on this issue, the town decided to hold a public meeting on September 5th. Mr. Speaker, within hours of the public meeting, this government stepped in and requested both parties to withdraw their proposals, infuriating the town administration and leaving many unanswered questions and a bewildered public.

Mr. Speaker, when Nunavut shot off their political cannon and decided to form their own corporation, Hay River, Mr. Speaker, was directly in their line of fire. Jobs were going to be lost. How many, Mr. Speaker, is unknown. Notices of layoffs were going to take place on October 18th. However Mr. Speaker, again at the eleventh hour, this government stepped in and directed the board to put layoff notices on hold. That action on the part of this government, Mr. Speaker, is playing with many people's lives, and taking a terrific toll on the community. It is extremely important that this government clarify...