The process that is laid before the Power Corporation and how it has to operate…. It goes through a very thorough review, and in fact it costs a substantial amount of money when it comes to putting the application before the PUB and justifying the costs that it operates under and establishing its rates and then going forward to see if it can get the approval.

As you look at the annual costs that we have to face here in the Northwest Territories, the Power Corporation is going through the same. For example, whenever a new package is negotiated with the employees, that has an impact. When refuelling happens in our remote communities, that has an impact. As well, replacing existing infrastructure has an impact.

One of the things we have to consider in all of this is that although we look at alternatives, we’re still working within a framework that’s quite structured, that leaves little room for thinking outside the existing process. I think that’s where we come in as Members of the Assembly: to look outside the box, as I heard a Member state earlier, and look at options that truly can benefit our community members.

When we talk about conservation, the less power used is definitely a good thing and helps us. Because if there’s more population in the community or more houses, then at times we have to add an additional generation plant to be able to provide that power source, which means that community is impacted. If we can reduce that just by planning, we can limit the impact.