Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Certainly the principles behind the initiative have gained general support across this Assembly but there are more and more questions being raised across the country on the impact on the economy, jobs and industry. I am wondering if the Minister can give us some sense, with the information we have at this time, of what the impact of ratifying and implementing The Kyoto accord could have on the Northwest Territories economy? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I believe the federal government has indicated, or perhaps the Prime Minister has indicated, that he would like to see Canada ratify this accord by the end of the year. That does not give us a lot of time. What steps would the Minister take to get that information out in the Northwest Territories and help us understand what the consequences are and help us fine tune our position? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have been around this issue of the Power Corporation for some time now and I think it is time to bring closure to this. My question is for the Minister responsible for the Power Corporation. I would like him to maybe let this House know what he is prepared to do from here on to go on with this issue. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I too agree that it is time to bring closure to this issue. We have had a long debate on it. I want to be absolutely clear, Mr. Speaker, that as Minister responsible for the Power Corporation I do accept responsibility for the way Cabinet's directions are communicated to the chair and to the board. That is my responsibility. I have to say though, nevertheless, that the direction that Cabinet gave to the board recently is clear and we stand by that, but we are not going to change our view in terms of revoking the board appointments.

I think we have to move on from here. I think the next steps include appointing a chair and board. I have sent letters out this morning to all of the Members and I appreciate your input into that process, as well as input from other sources. I think that once we have a new board in place -- and I have indicated to the Premier and to Cabinet that I will review the existing procedures and ensure that in future there will be clear channels of communication between myself as Minister responsible, between other members of Cabinet and particularly between myself and the chair and board for the Power Corporation.

You also certainly have my commitment that I will work to ensure that the government's direction on major policy issues is understood by the new board and the chairman. I think we have to work together to clear up that miscommunication that appears to have happened. I want to assure the Members that I do want to work closely with you. I intend to work closely with you, and certainly have always made myself and the boards that I represent open to sessions with AOC and GED or any other committee that we want to have. Mr. Speaker, I will do everything I can to ensure that communication is cleared up and that we have a good board functioning and that they are clear on what their mandate is and the policy direction of the government. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to state for the record my confidence in the Minister responsible for the Power Corporation and will continue to do so. He has my support in that. I want to ask the Minister if he is confident that he has the ability to pick the board members. When they come forward to him, will he be the one making the decision on that? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, yes as I indicated I will and I have sent letters out to Members seeking nominations for this. I will work closely with Cabinet in the selection of those board members. If there are concerns about my own personal view with regard to what sort of rate structure is best then I want to assure you that, working with Cabinet, I will make sure that it is not simply my own selection. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Where we are going from here with the new board and one-rate zone or whatever is put in is a different story. I am wondering about the appointment of the board and the appointment of the chair. Will the Minister be making that choice, or is that a Cabinet decision? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, under the act that is clearly my authority but I certainly give you assurance that I will work with Cabinet in making those appointments. I will not make them on my own in isolation. I will work closely with Cabinet and hopefully achieve a consensus on a good strong board. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have not seen the letter from the Minister yet asking for nominations for the board, I assume it is in the mail boxes. What is the deadline for nominations for new board members? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, the letter just went out this morning so Members may not have seen it yet. The deadline that I have asked you to send me nominations or resumes of people you are interested in putting forward is November 1st. Thank you.