Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Oral questions. The honourable Member for Monfwi, Mr. Lafferty.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker...(Translation) I'm going to talk about the mini hydro, working on that mini hydro. The Premier, Minister, they went to visit the community. (Translation ends)

The Premier met with Whati leadership on the new initiative, the Nailii project, the mini-hydro project. Mr. Speaker, I'd just like to find out from probably the Premier, about the status of the Whati Nailii project, where it's at since our last initial meeting. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Premier, Mr. Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Since our last meeting, the Power Corporation has been looking at what funding might be available to assist this project to move ahead. Mr. Speaker, we're currently looking at some detail on the recent federal announcements on the eco-energy funds. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Supplementary, Mr. Lafferty.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I thank the Premier for those remarks. It's a moving forward initiative. Also, I'd like to find out from the Premier, even though we're waiting for the federal funding, what kind of contribution will be on the GNWT's perspective on this new initiative that's energy efficiency in the community of Whati?

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Mr. Handley

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The total cost of this project is somewhere in the range of four to six million dollars. We hope to cost share that with the federal government though their program. Mr. Speaker, I might also add that as we look at community energy plans and develop those, that there is a section in there that will deal with mini hydro projects like this one. Mr. Speaker, I can't say exactly how much we will be able to contribute, but we're certainly looking at the federal plans to figure out how we best use our dollars along with any contributions they are ready to make. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Supplementary, Mr. Lafferty.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Tlicho Government, also the community of Whati, community government, are waiting anxiously and patiently for this project to move forward, especially with the proposal being submitted. I'd like to find out from the Premier, upon the good news of the federal government, when could they meet again with the community of Whati to move forward with this initiative? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Mr. Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just want to make one correction to my earlier statement. The total amount that the community gave us as being the estimate of the cost of the whole project is closer to $10 million. They are asking for governments or other agencies to provide support in the four to six million dollar range.

Mr. Speaker, as I said, we're waiting to hear more detail on the federal programs. Our departments and the Power Corporation are both looking at those to try and get enough detail. I would hope that within the next month or two that we will know the details so we know what contribution the federal government is willing to make. Mr. Speaker, this kind of project clearly fits within the interests of the federal government and I did discuss this project with Minister Baird a couple of weeks ago when I was in Ottawa and he seemed quite interested in these sorts of projects. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Final supplementary, Mr. Lafferty. Oral questions. The honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the residents in Inuvik continue to pay high prices for natural gas and now there is a rate application to raise the power rates. The trouble that they have is the natural gas

is from our backyard and they still continue to pay more than they do in Edmonton. I'd like to direct my questions today, if I may, to Premier Handley, as leader of the government. I'd like to ask him what can the government do to protect the residents of Inuvik from rising gas and power prices? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Premier, Mr. Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think that we are limited, to some extent, by the agreement that was originally entered into when gas was brought into Inuvik. It's my understanding that it is not fully regulated, so there may be some avenues for us to intervene or take a look at this one. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to ask the Premier, again as head of the government, there are many government buildings in Inuvik that are tied to the natural gas grid and natural gas is also supposed to be supplying our power. I would like to ask the Premier if the government has seen any significant savings from the conversion to natural gas. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are savings, definitely. I don't recall exactly the percentage less expensive than home heating oil, so there is savings, definitely. Mr. Speaker, as well, of course, the savings is on the fossil fuels and the greenhouse gases and so on that go out the chimneys. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Inuvik is doing their part to help with the greenhouse gas emissions but they're more concerned about their gas bill and their power bill. I'd like to ask the Premier if he would commit to getting me the numbers from the savings that the government has realized since the conversion to natural gas. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Handley.

Mr. Speaker, yes. We can find out exactly what it is. I believe it is somewhere in the neighbourhood of 15 percent, but we will confirm that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.