Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the rate structure is an issue that is by itself, not able to address the needs of communities. The Public Utilities Board, for the Member's information, had ruled some years ago, and had explicitly rejected a single-rate zone because, as they said at that time, it would result in a massive cross-subsidization of diesel ratepayers by hydro ratepayers. That is, the ratepayers in places like Fort Smith and Hay River and Resolution would have to pay more -- not because it costs more there, but because they would be asked to subsidize the high cost of providing diesel power in other communities. The Public Utilities Board at that time had ruled that was not the business for them to deal with. It was called social engineering and that the issue of subsidies had been dealt with by government.
So the idea had been rejected some years ago. In any case, the hearings are still going to continue and people are going to be heard. I think, more importantly, the energy strategy that this government had undertaken to have delivered to Cabinet for consideration by this Assembly is expected to be prepared and presented in draft form in the next week or so, and that once we have this draft energy strategy, the Cabinet and every Member of the Legislature, along with the public, would have then a broad paper, in which to look at specific issues under which rate zones, subsidies, additional incentives to offset high cost for commercial and industrial users in remote communities would come into play. Conservation, environmental impact...a whole range of issues, under which the specific issues or rate zones could properly be considered.
So the issue was not whether we were attempting to take away public consultation and involvement, but rather to make sure that the context was set so that people, once they started talking and forming opinions, had available to them good factual information and a broad range of considerations under which to formulate their positions, then to present them in a public forum. That was the intent. Thank you.