Debates of Feb. 21st, 2017

This is page numbers 1837 – 1882 of the Hansard for the 18th Assembly, 2nd Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was program.

Topics

Oral Questions

Prayer

Canada’s Top Employer Of Young People 2017

Small Community Employment Support Program

Electoral Reform

Naats'ihch'oh National Park Reserve

Aurora College Program Reductions

Coordination Of Anti-Poverty Initiatives

Recognition Of Jessie Loutit

Out-Migration From Small Communities

Maintenance Enforcement Collections

Air Quality Regulations

Lack Of Employment Opportunities In Mackenzie Delta Communities

Aurora College Teacher Education Program

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Support To Address Tragedies In Smaller Communities

Maintenance Enforcement Payments

Coordination Of Anti-Poverty Initiatives

Air Quality Regulations

Sahtu Land Use Planning

Aurora College Budget Reductions

Addressing Migration From Small Communities

Small Community Employment Fund

Reductions To Ferry Services On Peel And Mackenzie Rivers

Aurora College Performance Evaluation

Return To Written Question 15-18(2): Northwest Territories' Participation At The Association Of Mineral Exploration Bc Roundup In January 2017

Return To Written Question 16-18(2): Cabinet's November 2106 Trip To Ottawa

Petition 5-18(2): Funding To Aurora College

Tabled Document 288-18(2): Government Of The Northwest Territories Response To Motion 26-18(2): Junior Kindergarten

Tabled Document 291-18(2): List Of Northwest Territories Ministers And Staff Who Attended One Or More Events Associated With The Northwest Territories Mission To Ottawa, November 2016

Tabled Document 294-18(2): Letter From Chris Westwell, Regarding Proposed Budget Cuts To Aurora College

Tabled Document 296-18(2): Pension Administration Report - Retiring Allowances Act And Supplementary Retirement Allowances Act, Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly, March 31, 2016

Extended Adjournment Of The House To February 28, 2017

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Infrastructure, Deferral Of Corporate Management Activity

Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Infrastructure, Deferral Of Programs And Services Activity

Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Infrastructure, Deferral Of Regional Operations Activity

Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Infrastructure, Deferral Of Further Consideration Of The Estimates For The Department Of Infrastructure

Report of Committee of the Whole

Orders of the Day

Committee Motion 56-18(2): Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Infrastructure, Deferral Of Corporate Management Activity, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I'm not going to debate any further the need for more money for Arctic Energy Alliance, but I had one other question: what is our government doing about net metering? This is not the first time I've asked this question, and there's a number of people I know in Yellowknife who have put in renewable energy into their own homes and they're looking for a better break when it comes to net metering. So what is the department doing about net metering? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. Mr. Guy.

Guy

Thank you, Mr. Chair. So currently there is an approved net metering policy in place through the Public Utility Board where residents can net meter, I believe it's up to 5,000 Watts, 5 kilowatts, available in Yellowknife, and also in any other thermal communities.

Part of the Energy Strategy, we did hold regulatory and utilities workshop with the regulator and the other utilities, and that was one of the things that was discussed at that workshop, and that will feed in to the work that we're going to be consolidating in the Energy Strategy and hopefully updating the net metering policy based on the feedback we've gotten from the regulator and the utilities. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Mr. Guy. Mr. O'Reilly.

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. So I'm glad to hear that. The problem with the current policy is you get to accumulate credits but if you don't use them up by April 1st they're gone, and that's not the kind of net metering system we should have in place if we want to promote household energy self-sufficiency. So that policy has got to be changed. Thanks, Mr. Chair. I don't have anything further.

The Chair Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. Minister Schumann.

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Mr. Chair, thank you for that. I appreciate the Member bringing it up. That is one of the things that was identified, and we are having a look at that. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister Schumann. Next, we have Mr. McNeely.

Daniel McNeely Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Chair. My question is on page 236. On the NWT generator efficiency allowance, there is $300,000. As I read the explanation on the back, I am just wondering: why is PWS budgeting $300,000 for the Power Corporation when maybe the Power Corporation could sustain their own? So maybe a little explanation on that allowance? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Mr. McNeely. Mr. Guy.

Guy

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I will have to confirm it, but I believe that is the investment that we have in Aklavik for the variable-speed drive on the solar power plant project that the Power Corporation has. This is an energy efficiency element to that project, and it is incremental to the cost associated with the generation, so it is essentially a subsidy to keep power rates the same for the energy efficiency project, similar to what we have done on similar other projects where we have solar, in places like Wrigley or Fort Simpson, for example. The energy policy that we have is that the power corporation will not increase rates for renewables, that portion. Particularly when it is an R and D type project like this, it is generally funded by the government or the shareholder. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Mr. Guy. Mr. McNeely.

Daniel McNeely Sahtu

Yes, I am satisfied with the response. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Mr. McNeely. Mr. Thompson.

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Chair. On page 234, we talk about wood stove purchases. Was this part of the low-rising money, or was this another thing that was sunsetted? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Mr. Guy.

Guy

Thank you, Mr. Chair. That is, again, one of those projects that we boosted up or enhanced through the Low Water funding, so we had a targeted program for wood stoves in specific communities. The wood stove program is still available through biomass. It is another form of biomass, so folks who want to do wood stove replacements or upgrades can apply to the Arctic Energy Alliance through the biomass program. It is being promoted that way, as well. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Mr. Guy. Mr. Thompson.

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I thank the deputy minister for that answer. It is actually good to hear. I have been talking to a lot of people, and they are talking about making their homes more energy efficient and trying to get wood stoves in place. It also helps with when we have power shortages or fuel running out, so that is great to hear.

In regard to the energy plan, is the department willing to look at coming back for a supplemental after they have investigated alternative energy, renewable energy sources out there? Is there the potential that, after they have come up with this plan, they could come back looking for a supplemental? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Minister Schumann.

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Once we have done our engagement on this, we would have to have a look at what we are doing. Then we would have to look, moving forward, what we were going to do. If we needed any extra money, we would have to probably have that discussion on our side of the House. If there was even money available to do it; it might be too early to tell. We have got to wait until we have finished the initiative. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister Schumann. Mr. Thompson.

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and I thank the Minister for his answer. When will they know when this energy plan or these consultations are going to be done? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Minister Schumann.

February 20th, 2017

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I believe we are coming to give committee an update as early as next week and then, hopefully, in May/June looking forward. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of Feb. 21st, 2017

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