Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

WHEREAS the Northwest Territories has entered a period of substantial economic growth and prosperity;

AND WHEREAS this growth and prosperity is primarily concentrated in those communities with access to inexpensive hydroelectric power;

AND WHEREAS our communities and residents in the Northwest Territories absorb the cost of the hydroelectric infrastructure in one form or another;

AND WHEREAS no community in the Northwest Territories should be penalized because of the reliance on diesel fuel to run their electric generators or their geographic location and lack of proximity to the hydroelectric grid;

AND WHEREAS the cost of diesel fuel is subject to frequent price changes dictated by the world market;

AND WHEREAS under the current rate structure, these communities on the hydroelectric grid are not subject to the same price fluctuations for the cost of power that a community relying on diesel fuel for the generation of electricity would expend;

AND WHEREAS a price structure that levels cost between communities on our hydroelectric grid and communities relying on diesel fuel for power generation would be fair to all residents of the Northwest Territories;

AND WHEREAS with the withdrawal of the general rate application, the proposed one-rate zone in October of 2002, there has never been a public consultation process on advantages and disadvantages of a one rate zone power plan;

AND WHEREAS the views of Northerners are not being considered;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, that the Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation direct the corporation to resubmit their one-rate general rate application to the Northwest Territories Public Utilities Board so that a meaningful discussion and consultation can take place amongst the people of the Northwest Territories.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.