Bob Bromley

Welcome back, committee. I’d like to call us to order. We are entertaining general comments on the budget. We’ll start with Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. So we will start. That was general comments on the budget and, if we get to it, the beginning of the review of Health and Social Services. Is the committee agreed?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you for that response. On the question of energy efficiency, which I again raised in my statement, the government has been providing rebates, which do help some of our public but certainly not those, and there are many, who cannot afford the other 80 to 90 percent of the cost of energy-efficient appliances and so on. We know that there are big expenditures within government, but I’m concerned that we’re not doing nearly enough in the outreach. I don’t really see in the review information I’ve seen so far that it’s addressed there. I’m wondering where the focus is...

I think we’ll all be keenly watching for improved affordability there. Obviously we can’t afford to endlessly review our energy providers. We’ve had other energy reviews of NTPC in the past and so on, and how we supply power. The public clearly wants action on this. The rates are going through the roof. Cheaper power, improved local opportunities and environmental sustainability must be key pillars in the results of these reviews. How is the Minister intending to ensure that these three needs will be advanced through the final decisions that result from the reviews?

Mr. Speaker, NTPC is a government-owned provider directed by GNWT and we have not provided written guidance to them since 2005. A close look at our review work to date is not inspiring. It is my fervent hope that rather than getting stuck in the same mould approaches, we will clearly see the need for energy services that reflect our values, recognize our scales and serve our priorities within the realities of today’s challenges. Mr. Speaker, I will be asking questions of the appropriate Minister. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. If there is still time to get this in before we’re done here today... I’m just kidding.

---Laughter

First of all, I wanted to say that I also recognize from the Minister’s comments this is a huge challenge. The costs in many of these areas are going up and some of the areas are beyond our control. I believe we spent about 25 percent of our budget on health and I suspect, based on my rusty knowledge of other jurisdictions, that it’s even been higher in other jurisdictions. Given the challenges that Mrs. Groenewegen has highlighted, that’s some sort of a marker that we’re...

Thank you, Mr. Jacobson. Next on my list is Mr. Menicoche.

General comments. Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. We are open for general comments. Mr. Yakeleya.

Thank you, committee. Short break.

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