Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure met in May and June to review Bill 17, An Act to Amend the Territorial Parks Act. The committee held public hearings in Yellowknife, Deline, Norman Wells, Fort Good Hope, Fort Liard, Jean Marie River, and Fort Simpson. Members of the public and committee have expressed general support for these amendments that are intended to make territorial parks safer and more enjoyable for all visitors.

Following the clause-by-clause review on August 16, 2011, a motion was carried to report Bill 17 to the Assembly as ready for Committee of the Whole.

This concludes the committee’s general comments on Bill 17. Individual Members may have additional questions or comments as we proceed.

With that, I would like to ask the Minister if he will be bringing in any witnesses. Mr. McLeod.

Yes, I would, Mr. Chairman.

Does committee agree that the Minister may bring his witnesses?

Sergeant-at-Arms, escort the witnesses in.

Mr. McLeod, for the record, could you introduce your witnesses.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. To my left I have Deputy Minister Peter Vician, and to my right I have Kelly McLaughlin, legislative counsel.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Thank you, witnesses. Welcome. Are there any general comments in regard to Bill 17, An Act to Amend the Territorial Parks Act? Detail?

Page 1 of Bill 17, An Act to Amend the Territorial Parks Act, clause 1.

---Clauses 1 through 6 inclusive approved

To the bill as a whole.

Does committee agree that Bill 17 is ready for third reading?

---Bill 17 as a whole approved for third reading

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Thank you, witnesses.

Okay, the next bill we agreed to deal with is Bill 18, An Act to Amend the Public Utilities Act. At this time I would like to ask the Minister responsible for the act if you have any opening comments. Mr. Bob McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am pleased to introduce Bill 18, An Act to Amend the Public Utilities Act.

Members will recall last year’s release of Creating a Brighter Future, a comprehensive response to almost two years of extensive consultations held with communities, key stakeholders, the general public, and Regular Members. Creating a Brighter Future detailed this government’s public commitment to a number of specific actions with respect to the Northwest Territories’ electricity system, including commitments to introduce amendments to the Public Utilities Act.

These legislative amendments have been drafted to advance the vision of an efficient, equitable, and

transparent electricity system, and include provisions which will:

• clarify the Executive Council’s ability to issue

broad policy direction to the Public Utilities Board while at the same time not restricting or limiting the Public Utilities Board authority to decide on individual cases;

• allow for the establishment regulations

regarding the general rate application process and submissions by utilities. This change would allow for standardized filing requirements that would specify the level of detail and background information to be provided in a general rate application;

• enable the Minister to seek the Public Utilities

Board’s advice on matters that are solely within the Minister’s discretion without offending the principles of procedural fairness or improperly delegating his or her authority; and

• provide for amendments of a general

housekeeping nature to modernize the act, and to remove or modify any overly perspective language.

Mr. Chairman, I trust the committee will find the amendments satisfy public commitments to amend the Public Utilities Act. These amendments will advance the vision of safe, reliable, and affordable electricity available through our territory, and reflect the essential nature of electricity services for Northwest Territories Communities. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. At this time, I would like to ask the committee which reviewed the bill to make comments. Mr. Ramsay.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. The Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure met during the months of May and June to review Bill 18, An Act to Amend the Public Utilities Act. The committee held public hearings in Yellowknife, Deline, Norman Wells, Fort Good Hope, Fort Liard, Jean Marie River, and Fort Simpson. Power rates are a serious concern for people across the Northwest Territories. Those who spoke to the bill at public hearings were supportive of the amendments and the ongoing discussion of energy provision in the Northwest Territories.

Following the clause-by-clause review on August 16, 2011, a motion was carried to report Bill 18 to the Assembly as ready for Committee of the Whole. This concludes the committee’s general comments on Bill 18. Individual Members may have additional questions or comments as we proceed. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. At this time, I’d like to ask the Minister if he’ll be bringing in any witnesses. Mr. McLeod.

Yes.

Does committee agree the Minister brings in his witnesses?

Sergeant-at-Arms, escort the witnesses in.

Mr. Minister, for the record, could you introduce your witnesses.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. To my left I have Alan Cash, deputy secretary to Cabinet; on my left, I have Mark Aitken, the director of legislation with the Department of Justice.