I think having a vision for the future
and long-range planning, when it comes to hydro, would help us out tremendously. I’m a supporter of the Taltson expansion, but I’m also interested in how it is that the government is going to add a social component to this.
I believe it’s possible to add a social component. I believe communities in close proximity to that line, especially south of the lake, should see their power rates go down. This project should be completely cost-neutral to the public purse if it’s such a good business idea.
We’ve all lived through the Deh Cho Bridge. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. History will prove that was a bad deal for the Government of the Northwest Territories, and I
don’t want the
government to make another mistake with the Taltson River hydro project.
There’s an example of it in the Yukon. You just have to ask any Yukoner. They’re paying a rider of 15 per cent for that line that runs into the former Cyprus Anvil mine. They’ll be paying that for two generations in the Yukon, and they’re not too happy about it.
We need to come up with a ways and a means that we’re going to get as much out of this transmission line as we possibly can. Again, I’m not sure if we’re doing that.
Who is on the hook at the end of the day? It’s not going to be Deze Energy. It’s not going to be the Métis. It’s going to be the ratepayers across the Northwest Territories, the paying public. That’s
who’s going to be on the hook for the project. We just have to try to protect the public when we can.
I’m not saying that we shouldn’t get into joint ventures and we shouldn’t be pursuing things like this. Like I said, I support the Taltson Hydro Expansion, but we need to always keep in mind that social component and try to get as much benefit as possible, not just for industry but for the public we serve. If we don’t do that, I think we’re doing a disservice to the public.
Those are the only comments. I agree with most of what my colleagues have said over here, and it’s a discussion that I look forward to having with the band of three Ministers at some point in time, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.