Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also would like to welcome back our colleagues. Nice to be sitting again in such nice weather.

Mr. Speaker, at the end of the last session in March, the NWT Power Corporation had submitted an interim rate application to increase the power rates in the Taltson zone. 10 percent in the first year and another 10 percent in the second year in electricity rates.

Thankfully, the NWT Public Utilities Board is the neutral body that determines rate increases in the NWT, and they decided to increase power rates by 2.5 percent in all communities and regions in the NWT.

Mr. Speaker, for NTPC attempting to single out the Taltson zone with a 10 percent increase in both years in power is not okay, especially for Fort Smith where the Taltson Dam is situated in and around the traditional lands of multiple First Nations and Metis people. I don't believe it is right to increase the power rates to such a high amount for people whose traditional territory is where the dam sits.

Mr. Speaker, last month the premier and cabinet visited Fort Smith, and at every meeting they went to, the power rate increases were front and centre as the main concern as a main concern for the constituents. Everyone in Fort Smith was opposed to a 10 percent increase in power rates, including the Town, the Salt River First Nation, the Fort Smith Metis Council, and the Fort Smith Seniors' Society, among others.

In fact, the Town of Fort Smith along with the Town of Hay River sent a jointly written letter to the Public Utilities Board urging them not to disproportionately burden residents in the Taltson zone with a 10 percent power rate increase. There was also a private Fort Smith business who sent a written submission to the Public Utilities Board voicing similar concerns about the rates.

Ultimately, Mr. Speaker, NTPC only wants power rates increased because they are experiencing a shortfall in revenues. So they need more money to cover the various costs of providing electricity across the NWT. According to a 2012 report on the cost pressures of NTPC, the Taltson Dam generates between 5 and 8 megawatts of surplus energy each year.

So what is NTPC doing with all the surplus electricity? Surplus power has got to be used more efficiently and effectively by NTPC so they can be in a better financial position in order to prevent an increase in costs on to the consumer. We have the surplus of power, yet no innovation to better harness and utilize it.

Mr. Speaker, with the increasing costs of living and the historic levels of inflation we're experiencing, it is extremely important that our government continues to find positive solutions to ensure that the people of the NWT can make ends meet on all their household bills, including electricity.

I will have questions for the Minister responsible for NTPC at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.