Bob Bromley

Mr. Speaker, given the situation that we are becoming more and more reliant on the export economy — diamonds and oil and gas — what’s the expectation of the Premier, having heard the situation on the market again this morning getting quite serious: global concerns and national concerns about recession…? What’s the expectation in terms of the diamond industry and the oil and gas industry for the Northwest Territories?

My question is for the Minister of Public Works and Services.

What have been the costs of the resupply of fuel this year by community, and what is the cost per litre by fuel type for each community?

Are there still communities to be supplied, and if so has the fuel already been purchased and at what cost per litre by fuel type for each community?

Once again, these are people that have thoughts and feelings about their employment. It is something we really want to take advantage of and address so we can improve our service to the public. One of the things they mentioned is the opportunity for a GNWT blog, where employees can log on and register their complaints and so on. What is the opportunity for anonymous contributions in order to protect these employees and enable them to make these comments and ensure we get a thorough assessment?

If the Taltson plant is still owned by the Power Corporation — and, of course, that means it has been paid for by our citizens through their power rates and so on — is it likely that their power rates will directly benefit from any sale of additional power, such as to commercial enterprises?

I appreciate those comments. I’m wondering if the Public Utilities Board — and this again is following up on my questions earlier — has any comments on the structuring of the Hydro Corporation in relation to the Northwest Territories Power Corporation and the Energy Corporation. Are they commenting on that, and what is your perspective on that restructuring?

Perhaps I wasn’t talking so much about changing the Public Utilities Board as giving them a voice so that we can be fully informed. I think we are doing a review of the Power Corporation, or at least recognize the need for it. Where is the voice of the Public Utilities Board here?

That leads me to my final question. The last Assembly adopted, I believe it’s called, the NWTEC, Northwest Territories Energy Corporation, or something like that, that’s now the umbrella organization. How does that corporation fit with the responsibilities of the Power Corporation and protecting our consumers, working...

I would like to acknowledge that there are many issues that the Power Corp is struggling with. There are some of the increasing efficiencies we’ve learned about and that are becoming available technically that make it harder to service the capital the Power Corp has to look after.

I think there could have been a much more innovative response to this and more innovative or progressive adoption of this technology.

Given this and the Minister’s comments, would he commit to starting a thorough and independent review of the Power Corporation which would include a possible restructuring to address all...

I’d like to recognize Leslie Bader, at least a former constituent — perhaps still — and a practitioner of the arts. Welcome, Leslie.

Mr. Speaker, we are overdue for a thorough and independent review of the Northwest Territories Power Corporation, its operations, its innovations and its response in meeting the evolving needs of communities and residents. It is my view that this review should include the potential need for a complete restructuring.

The Power Corporation is a utility — a public utility, an arm of the GNWT — rather than a private corporation, but this is not reflected in its attitude. It has been six years since the Public Utilities Board ordered the Power Corporation to file interconnection standards for net...

I’ll just hope I get an answer to the question eventually. I did ask if they are commenting on that situation, not about the past.

I’m wondering if it’s the perspective of the Public Utilities Board that the Taltson hydro facility is a facility that has been owned and maintained by the NWT Energy Corporation. Is it still owned, or has it been transferred to the Hydro Corporation?