Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to raise the issue of the cost of living in our communities, and I refer to the community I represent, Inuvik. I've heard on a number of occasions, through constituents, about the cost of living and the cost of power, specifically, in Inuvik. We heard a lot and asked about the rate rider that was placed on customers across the NWT. But, Mr. Speaker, that issue alone has only stirred it up amongst constituents about what we're getting for our dollars and why the continued increases. I've approached the Minister to try to address some of my constituents' concerns about the rising cost of power.
Mr. Speaker, I've been informed that there are a number of different things happening, but questions need to be answered, at least for my residents in our community, about what opportunities they have and how they can address their concerns through the Power Corporation if it's a complaint about their bills, or if it's about the increases they face in their community.
It's not good enough just to say that your power bill has doubled because you've used the power, when residents are questioning the fact that they seem to have startling increases not just because of rate riders, but for their consumption. Mr. Speaker, when you throw that on top of the potential for further increases as the Power Corporation has gone forward for rate increases across the board, constituents are concerned about what this winter will bring. I will be asking the Minister questions about the Power Corporation and how residents can seek satisfaction regarding their billing inquiries. Thank you.
---Applause