Bob McLeod

We have a discussion paper that has been circulated and it asks all the questions that have been developed in conjunction with the standing committee. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

We are providing for the participation of non-tax-based communities in a workshop with the NWT Association of Communities and we will be paying for that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

We have very limited funds available for energy planning and we would be interested in hearing what concerns individuals have with regard to their energy costs. We will be expecting businesses that will be impacted to pay their own way when they participate. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I wouldn’t want to focus on just one possibility because we are asking the panel to look at all possibilities and whatever the panel comes back with, there will be opportunity for good discussion before any final decisions are made. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member is asking me to put forward some hypothetical situations and we’ve just set up a panel to go out and ask people those very questions, so I’d wait until we have a report before I speculate on the possibilities of changing rates. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I don’t agree with the Member. We worked with the standing committees. We agreed on a discussion paper. We agreed on the types of questions to be asked. There was ample opportunity for input at the front end and it’s not very helpful to come back at the back end when we’re going out to consultation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Also I am a member of the Rules committee and I support this motion. Personally I don’t see the need for a trial period. I think we should go right into having wholehearted use of it but if the committee would like to see a trial period, I will be supporting the motion. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document entitled Northwest Territories Public Utilities Board 2008 Annual Report. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I’d like to recognize Mr. Bill Mercer, vice-president, exploration, Avalon Ventures Limited and Mr. David Connelly with Ile Royale Enterprises, which is Avalon Ventures’ local representative. Thank you.

Like my colleagues have mentioned, this is a very serious issue not to be taken lightly and I’ve listened very carefully to what everybody has said on both sides. Like everybody here, I’m very proud and honoured to be an MLA. I’m also proud and honoured to serve my constituents for the past 16 months. I have been proud and honoured to work with my colleagues on both sides of the floor. I’ve been proud to work with GNWT staff both here in headquarters and up and down the valley. Their efforts are crucial to our success and I applaud them all.

The past several months have been challenging for all...