Inuvik Boot Lake

Statements in Debates

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 2)

Mr. Speaker, the PUB is, as well, part of this overall process that we would look at if there are changes that are required — again, the PUB as the regulator of the industry — and if we would look at any changes or how they would continue to, I guess in a sense, police the industry here in the Northwest Territories. That is one of the areas being looked at. We provide that to Members as to the direction we’re going in and seek either support or further work in that area.

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 2)

Mr. Speaker, the process we’re involved with now is looking at the energy costs in the Northwest Territories through the Ministerial Energy Coordinating Committee as well as going through our business plans, looking at alternatives of operation. I met with the Northwest Territories Power Corporation board and discussed with them some of the impacts in the Northwest Territories. We need to definitely look at all of the operation. As Member Groenewegen stated, don’t leave any stone unturned.

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 2)

Mr. Speaker, the process we are involved with now is some of the work being done, in a sense, by other initiatives; for example, Refocusing Government, looking at the delivery of services from a board and agency perspective, how we align with the departments and are working in those regions, what level of authorities are made at the headquarters versus regional operations and should that change or remain the same or be enhanced or tightened up? In a sense, with that are the accountabilities with that responsibility.

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 2)

Mr. Speaker, the review is quite open to a whole number of options. We can decide here, as an Assembly, what should be undertaken. The business operation in the existing framework is quite clear — the structure that we have to operate in. Again, as I said earlier, it is up to this Assembly if we want to change that; for example, the act that the Power Corporation acts under and how the PUB regulates the industry in the Northwest Territories. There are a number of things, right from programs we as the GNWT deliver. The Power Corporation itself is open to what the Members would like to consider...

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 2)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When the Power Corporation files for any rate applications or changes to its rates, it goes under review by the Public Utilities Board. It looks at the whole gamut of the operation in the Power Corporation. Those are areas that would be reviewed.

Amortization deals with the capital expenses of the public corporation and replacing assets that are on the ground that would need to be replaced, such as power poles, generation facilities and so on. We try to do the best we can in dealing with those areas. In fact, I believe we provide information to Members on the breakdown...

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 2)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is one of the initiatives I laid out early on in the life of our government as one of those strategic areas. It’s looking at how we operate and the delivery of services in our communities and how they’re delivered from a regional aspect to a community aspect. Looking, for example, at the future of the development of the Northwest Territories when it comes to governance, with the self-government tables happening in those regional bodies, does our delivery fit within that? We haven’t been able to get to that yet. As we work on that initiative, we would be prepared to...

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 2)

With the existing framework we have to operate under — that is, the acts that are in place, the Public Utilities Board regulation process — if we were to delay this process, then the potential is that next year we would have to go for even a higher request for operation.

The fact that individuals have been saving on their energy use, yes, is one that helps, in a sense. But, Mr. Speaker, I’ll speak from experience. I have a large family; I have a home in Inuvik and pay a higher rate than Yellowknife. For approximately 11 months of the year I keep — I should say, my wife keeps — the power...

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 2)

I will request from the Power Corporation that we pull this information together and provide it to Members for their review.

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 2)

Mr. Speaker, the Member talked about old, erroneous numbers. The numbers are tested quite thoroughly with the volumes of information that have to be provided to the Public Utilities Board about the operation of the Power Corporation and why it’s seeking any changes to its rates. That is something that is there. Those numbers are proven. Our question and further justification if required is given. That is a fairly substantial process with the volumes of information that have to be given at any application to the PUB around rate structures and changes to rates.

The bigger piece…. Again, I say...

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 2)

I believe the term, and the Member may have said it, is smart metering. That’s available and has been used in southern Canada. That’s something that can be taken into consideration as we progress forward. I know over the last number of years the Power Corporation itself has upgraded many of the metering systems in our communities that help reduce this operating cost. This is another area that can be looked at and something that will be taken into consideration.