Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m going back to my questions from my Member’s statement again. Back in the 15th Assembly there was a

Member for Sahtu. He used to speak on many occasions of NTPC because his communities were hardest hit. He had some excellent ideas, by the way.

I’d like to ask the current Minister if he’s acting on any of these excellent ideas that the former Member for Sahtu brought up in the 15th Assembly.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. That’s a pretty vague question, but I’ll allow the Minister responsible for the Power Corporation to respond. Mr. Yakeleya.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Member for Twin Lakes, for reminding me in terms of some of my earlier discussions in

the House. The Member is correct, and those ideas are still alive and well. Certainly, I’m very happy the Premier has asked if I would work with the other Members in terms of the energy file. Our committee is looking at the options of: how do we bring the cost of energy down to an acceptable rate for people in our smaller communities, who rely on a good power source in terms of reducing their cost of living?

Mr. Speaker, going back to NTPC and the bonuses paid to senior management, I’d like to ask the Minister if those are based on the overall surplus or the surplus minus what goes back to the Territorial Power Subsidy.

As the Member is well aware, this was at one time and possibly still is an issue to be discussed. The corporation has had consultants, has had some experts look at the bonus system. We now have an at-risk pay system for our senior management. We have made a huge reduction in terms of at-risk payments in terms of work to our senior management team. This was brought forward to the Public Utilities Board, which reviewed it and gave the stamp of approval for our operations within the NTPC management.

The Beaufort-Delta Regional Council passed a motion, as I mentioned before. I’d like to ask the Minister: do we have to pass a formal motion in the House requesting that the Auditor General audit NTPC, or can the Minister provide that direction or ask the Auditor General to do that?

The Member raises a very good point. Our last financial statement books were audited by the Auditor General of Canada. Certainly, if it’s the wish of the House, I would make a request to the board in terms of the Auditor General looking at our books again and looking at specific issues that could be raised, to have some further discussions in terms of our operation in the Crown corporation.

Thank you, Mr.

Yakeleya. Final

supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m not sure if he answered my question. I’d like to ask the Minister: would this House have to pass a formal motion to request the Auditor General audit the NTPC?

Mr.

Speaker, I do

apologize for not answering directly to the Member. If the House does wish to pass a motion to have the Auditor General look into our Crown corporation, if it pleases the House.... We have accountants, and we have the Public Utilities Board that scrutinizes very well in terms of our operations. If he does have a motion in the House, that is something we certainly will look at.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Item 8, written questions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have two written questions for two different Ministers. The first questions are for the Minister of Finance.

1) Can I have the complete cost breakdown of

each individual regional director’s office for the budget years of 2007–2008 and 2008–2009?

2) Please provide all the costs associated to

establish each individual regional office, such as lease, lease improvements, one-time capital expenses like vehicles and small equipment, and any other expenses to make each individual office open and relevant.

The second question is to the Minister of the NWT Power Corporation.

1) I would like to request a detailed breakdown by

community from the NWT Power Corporation for the last three years specific to:

a) profits and losses,

b) distribution and power subsidy, and

c) the dividends raised.

2) Please provide any details of a prescribing

document that states that the NWT Power Corporation needs to make a profit, and what is that profit based on?

Thank you, Mr.

Hawkins. Item 9,

returns to written questions. Mr. Clerk.

Thank you, Mr.

Clerk. Item 10,

replies to opening address. Item 11, petitions. Item 12, reports of standing and special committees. Item 13, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 14, tabling of documents. Mr. Clerk.

Thank you, Mr.

Clerk. Item 15,

notices of motion. Item 16, notices of motion for first reading of bills. The honourable Minister of Finance, Mr. Roland.

Notices of Motion for First Reading of Bills

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Wednesday, June 18, 2008, I will move that Bill 18, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No.1 2008–2009, be read for the first time.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Item 17, motions. Item 18, first reading of bills. The honourable Minister of Finance, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Deh Cho, that Bill 9, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 4, 2007–2008, be read for the first time.

Bill 9 has had first reading.

Motion carried; Bill 9, Supplementary

Appropriation Act, No. 4, 2007–2008, read a first time.

I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Range Lake, that Bill 13, An Act to Amend the Legal Profession Act, be read for the first time. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.