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

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Supplementary, Mr. Pokiak.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I mentioned before, you know, a few years ago Tuk did have a full-time employee for the Power Corp and got the contract, but I understand the Minister's response. But one of the questions I'd like to ask the Minister is in regard to the...Like in Tuk, like I said earlier, Mr. Speaker, 61.61 cents per kilowatt hour and then 13.73 cents after that for the diesel rider. I'd like to ask the Minister...and I'm sure that we can get an explanation in regard to how do these rates come up. I understand that we are subsidized for the first 100 kilowatts from Yellowknife and then on top of that we're paying these other costs. So I'd like to ask the Minister to explain so my people in Nunakput understand the reasoning behind the cost of the 61.61 and also the 13.73 cents. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Pokiak. Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as we all know, we do all have different rates for different communities. We have a hydro rate. We also have a utility rate, which are for diesel communities. Through those rates that basically have been in place are based on the actual costs to generate power in that community. In order to offset the high cost of power in communities, we implemented a program to subsidize power in diesel communities for residents up to 700 kilowatts. But again, Mr. Speaker, we do have to be able to show that through the power bills that we do put out it does show on the bill how much of the subsidy you're receiving for that particular month and how much your cost is in regards to the power that you consume. I think the residents have to realize that they also have to ensure that the power that they do use is the power that they have to be able to manage as part of their responsibility to pay that portion. I think we hear it a lot of time where people say my power bill's jumped this much, but I think

we also have to realize the majority of when you see the highest cost of those power bills is usually during the coldest months of the year and the winter months is when you see the biggest spike because you're using more power. So again, Mr. Speaker, we have a system that's being fair to diesel communities and residents in our small communities, but also ensuring that the consumer also plays the role in the amount of power they consume. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I agree that the residents have to understand the consumption that they use per month, but as a private homeowner, Mr. Speaker, I do know exactly what we use a month. I know what the consequence is going to cost for me to operate my unit. So the question I have for the Minister is, can he provide information in regard to the public house users that actually go over and above versus the residential homeowners, private homeowners? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Pokiak. Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we do have a database that we do track all the invoices, the meter readings from all communities for all residences regardless if it's private or commercial. So we can provide that information to the Member to show exactly how much individuals use. Also, as residents of our communities that do have concerns on the power rates, I would like to direct them to take their issues either to the regional staff or even to myself so that we can look into these issues and especially when it comes down to questioning the power bills. We are able to explain to the residents how their power bills are being read and how exactly is there a dispute there so that we can try to find a way to resolve it. Either change out the meter, put in another meter. But by working together we are able to do that. So I'm willing to provide that information to the Member. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Oral questions. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Villeneuve.