Madam Chair, begging your indulgence here to slow down just a little bit. There are just a couple of things I wanted to ask about on items on page 23 under ITI, if I may.
Debates of Oct. 26th, 2005
This is page numbers 551 - 610 of the Hansard for the 15th Assembly, 4th Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was going.
Topics
Committee Motion 7-15(4): To Delete $460,000 From The Department Of Education, Culture And Employment, Income Security Activity In Bill 11, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 606
Committee Motion 7-15(4): To Delete $460,000 From The Department Of Education, Culture And Employment, Income Security Activity In Bill 11, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 606
The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Does the committee agree that we go back to page 23, Industry, Tourism and Investment?
Committee Motion 7-15(4): To Delete $460,000 From The Department Of Education, Culture And Employment, Income Security Activity In Bill 11, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 606
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 7-15(4): To Delete $460,000 From The Department Of Education, Culture And Employment, Income Security Activity In Bill 11, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 606
Committee Motion 7-15(4): To Delete $460,000 From The Department Of Education, Culture And Employment, Income Security Activity In Bill 11, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 606
Bill Braden Great Slave
Thank you, colleagues. The area is strategic initiatives and the $730,000 earmarked for the NWT Energy Corporation for feasibility and environmental studies on the Taltson project. One area of real significance to any of these hydro projects, Madam Chair, is the identification of the customer. The discussion that I've seen of late on the Taltson project has focused exclusively on the diamond mines as a customer for new Taltson power. I know that one aspect of discussion, at least in early days, Madam Chair, was whether or not there could be a connection made into the southern grid, and explore virtually the rest of North America as a customer for our power. The question I wanted to ask relates to any ongoing research, or investigation into the customer base, and can it be conclusively shown, and could evidence be provided, that the mines are where we absolutely want to go? Thank you.
Committee Motion 7-15(4): To Delete $460,000 From The Department Of Education, Culture And Employment, Income Security Activity In Bill 11, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 606
Committee Motion 7-15(4): To Delete $460,000 From The Department Of Education, Culture And Employment, Income Security Activity In Bill 11, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 606
Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, the work around the Power Corporation and the hydro expansion project is one that's been discussed for some time by Members in this House. In fact, there's renewed interest by the diamond mines in this area, which is something that has caused us to continue to pursue this initiative. There have been discussions in the past about looking at the southern grid, but the focus is now with the operations in the Northwest Territories. Mr. Voytilla is familiar with this file, and probably could provide more detail in that area, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 7-15(4): To Delete $460,000 From The Department Of Education, Culture And Employment, Income Security Activity In Bill 11, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 606
Committee Motion 7-15(4): To Delete $460,000 From The Department Of Education, Culture And Employment, Income Security Activity In Bill 11, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 606
Voytilla
Thank you, Madam Chair. A lot of work has been done already in looking at the environmental and engineering aspects of this project, taking it to an almost complete feasibility level, and getting ready for regulatory application. Discussions have been going on with the mines for a number of years now. Just recently, we had a follow-up meeting with the mines, and they are prepared to renew their letters of interest, laying out the amount of power they're interested in acquiring, the duration of the contracts they'd be prepared to consider, and the price range at which they would be interested in the power. We believe, based on the work we've done, that we're certainly able to provide a competitive rate to them that would result in firm power purchase agreements with the mines, and those discussions are going on. This funding here is to complete the final stages of the environmental and engineering work necessary for us to be able to commit to a particular price range, so if there is a significant need for this investment, to be able to
complete that work to be able to finalize arrangements with the mines, and the mines are still very interested.
Committee Motion 7-15(4): To Delete $460,000 From The Department Of Education, Culture And Employment, Income Security Activity In Bill 11, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 607
Committee Motion 7-15(4): To Delete $460,000 From The Department Of Education, Culture And Employment, Income Security Activity In Bill 11, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 607
Bill Braden Great Slave
Thank you. It's good to hear that the mines are back in the picture. In fact, it would be surprising if they weren't, given the increase in the cost of diesel. But I guess I still haven't heard a reply to my question. Again it's something I can get some more information on at another time. But have we really explored the southern markets as one that is comparable to the mines? We know that the diamond mines are going to have a finite life; the customer to the south is infinite. Another factor, of course, is the transmission line. It's a much shorter transmission distance to the southern grid than it is up into the mines. So there are a couple of big factors there that I would still like to see some information on to show that we've explored the southern market in comparison to the mines. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 7-15(4): To Delete $460,000 From The Department Of Education, Culture And Employment, Income Security Activity In Bill 11, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 607
Committee Motion 7-15(4): To Delete $460,000 From The Department Of Education, Culture And Employment, Income Security Activity In Bill 11, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 607
Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. The Power Corporation has done some work in that area, and we'll get that information and provide it to Members. Thank you.
Committee Motion 7-15(4): To Delete $460,000 From The Department Of Education, Culture And Employment, Income Security Activity In Bill 11, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 607
Committee Motion 7-15(4): To Delete $460,000 From The Department Of Education, Culture And Employment, Income Security Activity In Bill 11, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 607
Committee Motion 7-15(4): To Delete $460,000 From The Department Of Education, Culture And Employment, Income Security Activity In Bill 11, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 607
Committee Motion 7-15(4): To Delete $460,000 From The Department Of Education, Culture And Employment, Income Security Activity In Bill 11, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 607
Committee Motion 7-15(4): To Delete $460,000 From The Department Of Education, Culture And Employment, Income Security Activity In Bill 11, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 607
Committee Motion 7-15(4): To Delete $460,000 From The Department Of Education, Culture And Employment, Income Security Activity In Bill 11, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 607
Committee Motion 7-15(4): To Delete $460,000 From The Department Of Education, Culture And Employment, Income Security Activity In Bill 11, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 607
The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The motion is in order. The motion is not debatable. All those in favour of the motion? All those opposed? The motion is defeated.
---Defeated
Industry, Tourism and Investment, operations expenditures, not previously authorized, $2.191 million.
Committee Motion 7-15(4): To Delete $460,000 From The Department Of Education, Culture And Employment, Income Security Activity In Bill 11, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 607
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 7-15(4): To Delete $460,000 From The Department Of Education, Culture And Employment, Income Security Activity In Bill 11, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 607
The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Agreed. Thank you. Environment and Natural Resources, operations expenditures, special warrants, total department, $2.450 million, not previously authorized, $2.241 million.
Committee Motion 7-15(4): To Delete $460,000 From The Department Of Education, Culture And Employment, Income Security Activity In Bill 11, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 607
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 7-15(4): To Delete $460,000 From The Department Of Education, Culture And Employment, Income Security Activity In Bill 11, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 607
The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Agreed. Thank you. Health and Social Services, capital investment expenditures, not previously authorized, total department, $1.175 million. Mr. Yakeleya.
Committee Motion 7-15(4): To Delete $460,000 From The Department Of Education, Culture And Employment, Income Security Activity In Bill 11, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 607
Norman Yakeleya Sahtu
Thank you, Madam Chair. I guess we're going to be here for awhile, so I want to ask about the facilities. I want to talk to the facility in Deline, the old folks' facility. I see other facilities being listed, and we had some discussion here, and I want to ask the Minister about the planning, and designing, and upgrading of long-term care facilities, and the design work undertaken on some of those facilities. I want to ask about the Deline facility, about where it fits in this specific budget here. I just want to ask that to the Minister. Thank you.