Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to use my Member’s statement today to follow up on the Premier’s statement on energy from yesterday. The Premier announced that there will be a review of the structure and efficiency of the Power Corporation. It’s great news that he has committed to a formal review of the NWT Power Corporation. As noted by the Premier in his statement, customers, Members, and municipal leaders have long asked for the GNWT to look into how NTPC operates, if it has the organizational structure that it should, if it operates as efficiently as it should, if the management and board are cutting all the corners that they can to keep NWT residents’ power costs to a minimum.
In two Member’s statements that I made in October 2008 I said we have to look at revamping the corporation itself. NTPC must be renewed and reorganized. That NTPC is arm’s length from the government is a good thing, but it has led to a mentality in the organization that they can do whatever they wish without consequences. There seems to be little concern for the consumers, for good business practices on the part of the NTPC leadership, little desire to increase efficiencies and identify savings in order to keep our power rates at a reasonable level. A culture of efficiency and effectiveness must be instilled, with cost savings the number one priority for this company.
There are lots of possibilities where savings can be found. The corporation can eliminate management bonuses, trim administrative fat, and get creative with technology and innovation, for starters. Only after NTPC has clearly demonstrated that all avenues for cost savings have been explored can it be allowed to consider power rate increases for its users. It is the duty of the Power Corporation to do all it can to minimize the impact of power generation costs on the ordinary Joe or Joe the Plumber.
My opinion and my comments from October remain the same today. Now, more than ever, a review of NTPC is necessary. I welcome the announcement by the Premier and I look forward to the results of this review, hopefully by our fall sitting.