Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I too have grave concerns regarding the removal of the Northwest Territories Power Corporation board by this government. The thing that frustrates me the most is the timing of this reaction by government, where a process was taken to allow for community input, to allow communities to have a say on what they think of the power rates in the Northwest Territories.
This is the first opportunity where small communities have really had a chance to voice their opinion on what is a fair process from small communities to large communities, communities on diesel generators and communities on hydro power. Mr. Speaker, the only way we could have found that result was to ensure public input. The only process that is available to the people of the Northwest Territories is through a Public Utility Board.
The application was put forth under the people whom I represent, especially the Mackenzie Delta, and the municipalities who want to have a say in regard to how power rates are set and have input into a process to determine what those rates will be.
Mr. Speaker, there is a list of interveners, some 60 people who put their names forth to intervene on this process. For me, that shows the public is interested in a one-rate zone process, regardless of if it is for or against. Allow for due process. The interference by this government to pull from under the people of the Northwest Territories and to can a board who did not have the same opinion of Cabinet and the Premier is unjust, unfair and undemocratic.
We are not in a communist state that determines who rules and who goes. We are in a position by this precedent that we have put in place which is a bad one for our boards, agencies and institutions of government, especially when it comes to a process that allows for public input.
With that, Mr. Speaker, I will be having questions for the Premier on this matter later. Thank you.
-- Applause