Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier today I raised the issue of unresolved property damages in Yellowknife, Behchoko and Detah in the wake of an extended power outage on December 29, 2013. As indicated conservatively, 231 residents did come forward with approximately $350,000 in damages directly related to this outage. Now, I realize that regulated public utilities in Canada are not permitted to reimburse customers for property damage caused by weather-related incidents or acts of God. However, I believe in Inuvik some years ago a power surge caused significant damage to which NTPC took ownership and compensated all customers with damages.
So with this precedent in mind, when does the act of God cease and equipment failure begin? Can the Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation please explain to the House why it took over three hours to fire up the diesel-powered generators at Jackfish plant on the evening of December 29, 2013?