Mr. Speaker, one of the concerns that was raised in the whole idea in the removal of the previous board is the whole idea of who was responsible for appointing or removing the board of directors and that was something the Minister said they were going to look at and bring that back to the House.

I would like to ask the Minister, is that also going to be put in place prior to the new board being established?

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Minister responsible for the Power Corporation, Mr. Handley.

Mr. Speaker, the responsibility for appointment of a board is the responsibility of the Minister responsible for the Power Corporation, so that rests with me at this time.

Mr. Speaker, the commitment I did make for now is to do that in consultation with Cabinet and I intend to do that and bring it back to notifying all of the Members. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in regard to the appointment, presently it does fall under the Northwest Territories Power Corporation Act in regard to the board appointments, the term of the board and also the size of the board.

Right now the Minister is stating it is under his directive and he will be taking that to Cabinet. I would like to ask the Minister, will you also being reviewing the directive that is in place under the Northwest Territories Power Corporation Act to ensure that it is clear in the responsibility of the board of directors and also the ability of this government to remove the board at any one time?

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Minister responsible for the Power Corporation, Mr. Handley.

Mr. Speaker, the first priority I have is to get a new, permanent board in place. Then I will meet with the new board to explain to them the provisions in the Power Corporation Act and will also be reviewing the act with Cabinet and determining whether or not there is a need for any changes to that piece of legislation. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Final supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in regard to the responsibilities that the board of directors carry out under the mandate they receive under the Northwest Territories Power Corporation Act is pretty clear, but I would like to ask the Minister, what are we doing to ensure there is not political interference so they can carry out those responsibilities to the T. Either have them removed for not doing what they are supposed to do or what you would like them to do. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Minister responsible for the Power Corporation, Mr. Handley.

Mr. Speaker, I will be discussing this further with Cabinet. I would like to see all of the direction that goes to the board be done with a formal directive so that it is clear. I think that as we look at the act there may be other ways of ensuring that the authority of the board is respected and that they also know that they have to operate within the strategic direction that is provided by government. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. The time allocated for question period has ended. Item 7, written questions. Item 8, returns to written questions. Item 9, replies to the opening address. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Nitah.

Thank you. The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to return to item 6, oral questions. Are there any nays? We have a nay. Item 9, replies to the opening address. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like unanimous consent to go back to item 6.

Thank you. The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to return to item 6, oral questions. Are there any nays? We have a nay. Item 9, replies to the opening address. Item 10, petitions.

May I have some order in the House please? The Chair is asking if there are any petitions. Are there any petitions? Item 11, reports of standing and special committees. The Chair recognizes the honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to go back to item 9, replies to opening address.

Thank you. The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to go back to item 9, replies to the opening address. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Mr. Krutko, the Chair has been informed that you have already replied to the opening address. Good bookkeeping. Item 9, replies to the opening address. Item 10, petitions. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Nitah.

Thank you. The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to return to item 9, which is replies to the opening address. Are there any nays? There are no nays, I will just check the record to see if you have already made your reply. Item 9, replies to the opening address. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, your reply to the opening address. Mr. Nitah.

Mr. Nitah, I am sorry, I have to interrupt you for a moment here. There has been a point of privilege brought to the attention of the Chair. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee, your point of privilege.

Point of Privilege

Mr. Speaker, I have a point of privilege, Mr. Speaker. As far as I understand that when Members ask to go back to an item there is a reason why we seek unanimous consent. We have our privilege to deny that. I feel that it is not proper for the Members to impute motive as to why I did that. He has no idea. That is not proper. He should respect the rules of the House. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. We have a point of privilege raised. The Chair is not at liberty to make a decision at this point in time. I just have to review what was said so I will take that under advisement. For the time being it does not appear to the Chair that the privilege of the Member is being harmed in any way. The Member is making a reply and a reply can be on any subject that the honourable Member chooses in the reply. I will take it under advisement, Ms. Lee, and get back to you at the proper time. Mr. Nitah, you have the floor to continue your reply.

Oh, I think we have another hand raised there. Ms. Lee.

Point of Order