Frieda Martselos

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I want to acknowledge the 2022 graduating class of Fort Smith's PWK High School. Yesterday the grad class had their convocation and tonight they will have their grad dinner.

I was unable to attend the grad ceremony as I'm here for session. However, I did send some remarks be read at the ceremony on my behalf.

On behalf of the community of Fort Smith, congratulations to all of this year's graduates for your hard work in reaching this point in your academic careers. I wish all students well in their future endeavours.

In addition, Mr. Speaker, I want to...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the public utilities hearings must be made in the communities facetoface, especially for the Taltson hydro zone. Would the Minister agree with that? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Minister responsible for the Public Utilities Board.

Mr. Speaker, similar to my first question to the Minister of NTPC, will the Minister responsible for the Public Utilities Board commit to work with the Minister of NTPC to have public hearings regarding the impact of increasing electricity rates in the Taltson hydro zone. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, once the decision is made for any increases in electricity in the Taltson hydro zone by the Public Utilities Board, it must have a balance of input from both sides of the equation before implementation happens. Would the Minister agree with that? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I want to compliment the Public Utilities Board on their neutral oversight as they are the body who oversees power rates increase in the NWT. Examining the submission from NTPC must have the citizens input into their decision on increases to relate fairness in the process. Would the Minister agree with that? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, after the Taltson expansion is completed, can the Minister explain what the cost impacts will be in terms of electricity rates for the people in the Taltson zone and the rest of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it is extremely important that other levels of government and the general public have their say on potential electricity rate increases.

Will the Minister responsible for NTPC commit to work with the Minister responsible for the Public Utilities Board to have public hearings regarding the impact of increasing electricity rates? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, can the Minister tell us when the NTPC will get rid of the current board of NTPC, which is currently occupied by deputy ministers, and be replaced by a new neutralappointed board? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, since the Taltson Hydro Project is in the Taltson zone, will the Minister ensure that there will not be a onerate system for power rates and that the people of the Taltson zone will always have lower power rates than other communities, because it's a traditional territory of various First Nations and Metis peoples. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

In favour.