Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on July 31st I had the pleasure of attending the release of the territorial energy strategy in Wha Ti. This strategy was developed after consultation with energy providers, industry, business and the public. Last February, I travelled with the Energy Secretariat to the communities within my region. I know that one of the common concerns that people share was that the rates for power were too high. People have a hard time paying their power bills, Mr. Speaker.

Over the past year, I have continually asked the Premier and the Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation to bring the issue of a one-rate zone for power to the table for discussion so that everyone would be treated equally and fairly in the Northwest Territories. I have been continually told that once the energy strategy was completed it would be part of the strategy.

Mr. Speaker, when the Premier released the energy strategy in July, he stated that the strategy will serve as a road map for dealing with complex energy policy decisions. The strategy recognizes that the current ways in which energy is applied, priced and consumed in the communities and to industry is not financially and environmentally sustainable. It also points out that there is strong support in the smaller diesel electric communities for a single electric rate for all consumers in the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, the strategy recognizes that changes need to be made. Now that the strategy is completed, I think that it needs to be discussed by the Members of this Assembly and we, as well as members from the public, need the opportunity to explore the option of recommending a one-rate zone for power or, as I suggested in the press release last October, a two-tiered levelized rate that takes into account the sources of power, whether they are diesel or hydro, that could be put into place.

Mr. Speaker, with a little over three weeks left in the life of this Assembly, I ask Cabinet if they could direct the Northwest Territories Power Corporation to proceed with an application for changing the rate structure so that the public hearings on this matter can begin. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause