Joe Handley

Mr. Speaker, to be clear, the agreement-in-principle that we have now is only signed by the GNWT and the four aboriginal organizations we mentioned. The federal government has not signed anything yet with us in terms of the AIP, so we need them to come to the table.

Mr. Speaker, I can’t speak for future governments, but I expect, as has been the case for the last 20 or 30 years, every federal government has said that it supports devolution and resource revenue sharing. So we would certainly want to pressure the next government, whoever it may be, to continue and in fact work more aggressively...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, the Akaitcho have said they would like to have a briefing. They contacted us and a date has been set. I don’t know exactly when it is, but our people will be going out to meet with them. I don’t believe we have an acceptance yet from the Tlicho and the Dehcho, but we are certainly hoping to brief them and not bring them under any pressure but simply let them know what is in it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think if people think back, they shouldn’t be 100 percent surprised by this decision because when they hooked up, they knew it was going to happen someday. Mr. Speaker, we are looking, as we negotiate on the pipeline, the feasibility of connecting communities to gas from that pipeline. Mr. Speaker, even that will run out some day. I will go back to my favourite fuel and that is hydro fuel. I think we have to, in the long term, look at hydro generated power that is there as long as the rivers flow, and that is going to be our long-term source, Mr. Speaker. But...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As well as the concerns by the residents in Norman Wells, we also have some issues that we have to deal with ourselves as a government and that has to do with the school, the health centre, the airport. We have a lot of government facilities there, so we are working on that side.

With regard to the Power Corporation, we should be fine until 2010. We have a diesel generator there, but after 2010 if we had to produce our own power, then it may be necessary to add another generator in there. Of course, with community-based rates, that would have to be borne by the users...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I said, this is within the jurisdiction of the Yellowknife Housing Authority. I will make sure they are aware of the concern the Member has raised. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is the Yellowknife Housing Authority that is responsible for the policies with regard to the management of the units that the Member is referring to. Mr. Speaker, it’s their policy decision. I will ensure that they have knowledge of the Member’s concern and that they take it into consideration. But we have to keep in mind they are responsible for managing the units. They have the authority to set the policies and we don’t want to interfere in something that is their authority. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I spoke with Minister Prentice the day before yesterday on it. It has been forwarded to him. His response was that he would want to have a look at it before making any commitment and further action. Mr. Speaker, it is my intention that we will meet with Minister Prentice as a group, those who have signed on and those who have signed on between now and whenever the meeting is, and determine a course of action from here towards working of a final agreement. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, there is an opportunity for the others to sign on. In fact, we have offered to do briefings with them on it if they like. Again, it is their choice. We are not forcing them, but we feel that it is important that we all work together as northerners here to look after our rights. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are a number of options to look at. One of them would be to switch over and begin to produce power and so on with diesel. Another one would be to just simply switch to propane and if we believe gas is coming through the pipeline anyway and it’s going to be a matter of five or six years, then it’s much less expensive to switch the units over to propane and use propane for a few years and if natural gas is available, go back to natural gas rather than go to the expensive route of diesel. Mr. Speaker, a consultant has been hired. Our people are looking at it. We...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let me say again, in terms of power, the Power Corporation has an agreement with Imperial to supply energy for power until 2010. When it comes to homes, then Imperial will no longer provide gas to the domestic users after April 2008. The town has advised us that they have hired a consultant who will be taking a look at the options. Our departments are looking at this situation. As soon as we have information together, we have committed to meeting with the town and, at that point, we will determine which operation is the best to put forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.