Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Madam Chair. I like that, technicians being able to come and work with the local contractors. If that's being done, then could we make sure that any local work that is happening, say for instance, in Paulatuk, can we have that work given to them with one of our technicians? We have people there who could do the work, but we don't have the Red Seal carpenter. Making sure that we keep it local and not bring people in because of COVID-19 times, if we have somebody local, is the department willing to work with local contractors to keep it local and to have a technician come and inspect...

Thank you for that. Moving on, in regard with all the infrastructure, the DMAFing with the fuel tank storages in Ulukhaktok and Tuktoyaktuk and Sachs Harbour, the timeline on that, I heard the assistant deputy minister before saying one is approved. Are all three projects approved? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Just a few things in regard to the Infrastructure services that were going. The Inuvik terminal and the runway extension, just making sure that we have local contractors that are doing the work that's coming up on these projects. Keep it local and in regard to no bringing in outsiders. That's just a comment to have on that. The M18 project, they had a meeting last night back home with M18, which is 13 kilometers outside of Tuktoyaktuk, on Tuktoyaktuk 71a lands, and I'm just wondering if this government is looking at any monies because it will provide LNG with the...

I'd like to thank the Minister for that. We do need to get this money flowing. Last time the money was being spent was eight months ago. They have to have somebody hired right away at the department of housing to start allocating and start getting priorities set to start spending this co-investment money. It's free money. I really would like to see if we could, what's the timeline for that person being hired in the department to start spending the $60 million?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, the housing situation has been going on in Nunakput and across the whole territory, lack of housing. It made the news the other day that $60-million fund that wasn't touched in regard to the co-investment fund. I'm wondering if the Minister is making with her department, her housing department, making a strategy and working with our local NGOs and where I'm from, IRC and the community corporations. I'm going to send a letter out saying that, "Okay. The $60-million fund, what kind of plan can we come up with in the communities?" Will the Minister entertain that...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am going to remind the Minister that we are in a pandemic. We have no jobs. People are living off income support, making the decisions either to buy food or pay your power or pay your rent. This government, this Minister, could make this decision right now and make it easier on everybody in the territory to stop using limiters from November to April. If not, I will bring a motion in the House, Mr. Speaker, to make limiters illegal in the territory. Would this Minister commit to that? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I know this Minister's just received this portfolio. I'm wondering why we'd make a statement, that Power Corporation make a statement in mid-March saying that they would not use limiters during this pandemic, and why is that happening now? You are saying one thing and doing the other? Why is the government doing that?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I've been clear in this House that I oppose the NWT Power Corporation using power-limiting devices in the winter months. Life is hard and expensive in our small communities and a lack of heat life-threatening. People have their power throttled, and they don't know when the power will be turned off. This makes it impossible for a family to heat their homes properly and feed and care for their families. After I raised my objections, I was pleased to see power corporation responded positively in mid-March. Cabin Radio reported, "NWT Power Corporation has promised to...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to table the four press releases: "CBC News article dated March 2, 2020 titled 'N.W.T. MLA says power corp wrong to throttle power in winter for people who can't pay;'" "Cabin Radio article dated March 18, 2020 titled 'NWT Power Corporation to stop using limiters during pandemic;'" "Northwest Territories Power Corporation News Release dated October 21, 2020 titled "NTPC To Resume Collection Activities;" and "Cabin Radio article dated October 22, 2020 titled 'NWT Power Corporation to resume collections and use of limiters.'" Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Is this government prepared to do, to stop the use of using limiters? That's more a southern concept of cutting people off, putting load limiters on. In the winter time up North, you're trying to cook. You're on for 10 minutes, and you're off for 10. That's not right. Is the Minister willing to stop using limiters? Can I get her to commit to that through the Power Corporation during the winter months? Summer months, put them on. During the winter, from now until April, could they stop that?