Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Minister responsible for the NWT Power Corporation. I was wondering if the Minister could tell me what role he sees for the NWT Power Corp in the energy future of the Northwest Territories.

Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. The Minister responsible for the Power Corporation, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I guess the simplest way of saying it is that the role of the Power Corporation into the future of the Northwest Territories is one that’s evolving. Again, I met with the board of the Power Corporation. I stated that we have to look at how we operate and look at all facets of it. The fact that we have to look beyond the existing framework that’s in place is something that we shouldn’t shy away from as we look forward to how we generate and deliver power in the Northwest Territories.

Thanks to the Premier for that response. Could the Premier also tell me what kinds of partnerships are possible on energy projects?

Mr. Speaker, the partnership question is one where, as the Government of the Northwest Territories, we have to open the door on it more. In fact, there are already a number of partnerships that have been formed with the Power Corporation; ffor example, on some of our hydro facilities with aboriginal companies and corporations in the Northwest Territories. But if we’re going to go and look at the hydro strategy that’s been put before the Members, if we’re going to invest in that in the Northwest Territories, we’re going to have to partner up with companies that have deep pockets and as well have expertise in those areas. So, again, we have to look at our role as one that’s changing and evolving as we grow as a territory.

Once again thanks to the Premier for that response. Could the Premier also tell me what specific NWT energy projects could gain from partnerships with private industry?

Mr. Speaker, there are quite a number of projects that could benefit. There is a history within the North of partnering with some of the companies here in the Northwest Territories. The Taltson hydro project is an example of forming a partnership with aboriginal companies in the Northwest Territories. I think that is another example of how we move this project ahead when we get to the next stage after environmental review.

When it comes to the actual financing of the project, how do we move this ahead? The GNWT itself, as we talked about, as Members are aware…. The fiscal restraint that we face, our borrowing limit, all have an impact on the speed that a project of this nature can advance. We would have to look at projects like that. If we’re going to expand further, there have been discussions in the past with the Sahtu people about development of hydro there. We need to form partnerships with aboriginal partners in the Northwest Territories, and we’ll look for partners who have deep pockets.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Final supplementary, Mr. Abernethy.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and once again thank you for that response. Is the GNWT or the NWT Power Corp actively seeking partnerships on any energy projects in the NWT?

Mr. Speaker, there are some partnerships that have been formed, so the Power Corporation is involved in those. Are we seeking beyond that at this point? When I met with the Power Corporation board, the chairman as well, I stated that it’s something we have to pursue. The Government of the Northwest Territories side of it as well as the Power Corporation needs to pursue partnerships out there to come up with options. We shouldn’t always put our eggs in the basket of the federal government, for example.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to follow up on the questions for the Minister responsible for the Power Corporation. Does the current review of electricity rates that is in process include a review of the Power Corporation performance, its corporate innovation and so on?

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The honourable Minister responsible for the Power Corporation, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The work that we’re doing on the Ministerial Energy Coordinating Committee and looking at the structure, the rates, delivery, energy generation…. We’re looking at quite a number of options — opening the books, in a sense, to options that are out there. Members have suggestions when we go forward with this paper looking for further input as to other options that we may have missed.

Again, going on what has been stated before — I said it and Member Groenewegen said it earlier today — we should not leave any stone unturned when it comes to power generation and delivery in the Northwest Territories and the structure of the corporation.

I would like to acknowledge that there are many issues that the Power Corp is struggling with. There are some of the increasing efficiencies we’ve learned about and that are becoming available technically that make it harder to service the capital the Power Corp has to look after.

I think there could have been a much more innovative response to this and more innovative or progressive adoption of this technology.

Given this and the Minister’s comments, would he commit to starting a thorough and independent review of the Power Corporation which would include a possible restructuring to address all these issues?

Mr. Speaker, as we go through this process of developing the paper that we can bring forward to Members and looking at the option of what the Power Corporation is, how we deliver energy in the Northwest Territories, rate structures, regulation… There are a whole number of areas: the subsidy program itself, as well as what the Member has requested. I will take that message back to the energy coordinating committee and look to see how that can be implemented. We’ve had discussion about the distribution structure review. In a sense, as we go through these next steps, we as Members of this Assembly will be looking at those questions. Again, I’m prepared to sit down with Members and go through this in more detail and look at options that are available to us.

I appreciate those comments from the Minister. I think this is timely; a lot of our public are calling for it. I’m wondering if included in that could be the whole relationship with the Public Utilities Board. I haven’t heard the voice of the Public Utilities Board in this government. I wonder if there’s a way we could bring them to the table and get their perspective on this whole business. I know they’re saddled with some responsibility for at least the financial end of the Power Corporation’s business.

Mr. Speaker, the role of the PUB, as well as the role of the Power Corporation in the Northwest Territories, is one that is directed by the legislation that we as an Assembly control. There’s always opportunity to bring them in to have a discussion about the legislation they operate under. I stated earlier the need to look at some of the legislation that we can impact and that should pose potential changes for the future.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Final supplementary, Mr. Bromley.

Perhaps I wasn’t talking so much about changing the Public Utilities Board as giving them a voice so that we can be fully informed. I think we are doing a review of the Power Corporation, or at least recognize the need for it. Where is the voice of the Public Utilities Board here?

That leads me to my final question. The last Assembly adopted, I believe it’s called, the NWTEC, Northwest Territories Energy Corporation, or something like that, that’s now the umbrella

organization. How does that corporation fit with the responsibilities of the Power Corporation and protecting our consumers, working to the benefit of our residents?

Mr. Speaker, one could say the reason that legislation was adopted by the previous government was to protect the residents of the Northwest Territories. For example, if the Power Corporation itself, which is fully regulated by the PUB…. I must say, on the PUB side their voice is being heard through this process, as the Minister responsible seeks their input in some of the work he brings to the table. That aside, the rate structure, or the structure that was put into place around the hydro corporation side of things, was done in a way that would minimize impact on the rate base or the residential groups and commercial groups out there that are now regulated.

For example, if we were to do hydro expansion within the existing framework, all of those costs per capita would end up being borne by the rate base of the Northwest Territories or that region or community. It was felt that in today’s framework, that would not be affordable for individuals or companies. Instead, for example, the Taltson is outside that system. It’s going to be paid for by industry if the plan moves ahead as it’s been designed.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to continue the questioning with regard to the NWT Power Corp Minister.

I just wanted to lay out the land a little bit. During my travels in my constituency people are concerned about the government’s plan to increase taxation in various different areas. They’re concerned about the high costs of heating fuel and gasoline fuel that continue to rise even though they’re falling worldwide. Another concern is that now our government, in its infinite wisdom, wants to raise the power rates, Mr. Speaker. That’s something to which I’m fundamentally opposed.

I just wanted to lay out that the little people in our smaller communities are impacted. I just want to say that far before Joe the Plumber, there was Granny from Nahanni, and she’s impacted by all these costs of living pressures.

The Minister is responsible for the NWT Power Corp, which put forward the General Rate Application to increase the power rate. I’d like to

ask the Minister, now, if he can withdraw that application.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation, Mr. Roland.