Statements in Debates
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I just wanted to follow up on the demands of my constituents in Nahendeh and my Member’s statement with regard to the residents coming up with a petition and public showing of the need by the constituents of Nahendeh to establish a dentist office or a dentist in the community of Fort Simpson to serve the region. I’d like to ask the Minister of Health and Social Services how my constituents and myself can work towards establishing such an office in Fort Simpson.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to speak in favour of the motion and will be voting that way. Regretfully, we’ve got two important initiatives that are clashing here. One, of course, is recycling and the other one is the most important, which I believe was a priority at the start of our government to reduce the cost of living. In this case, because of our recycling initiative, we are imposing a fee on milk cartons and milk bottles.
I think the ultimate goal of our Assembly, the cost of living, should take priority. So I am supporting this motion to not increase the cost of...
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’m pleased that our Minister is willing to raise that the next time she meets with the federal Minister. Also, as they work towards it there must be some creative solutions, like providing incentives of getting a private dentist into the region. Often when that is the case, they are able to take up the workload of NIHB. I’m glad the Minister is willing to do that. Will she raise the issue the next time she meets with the federal Minister?
That’s exactly the issue that the constituents have shared with me, is that there are just lengthy delays in travel to and fro to get their needs met and often they have to wait several days. Especially when someone has a toothache, it’s not a very good situation. However, in terms of medical travel to get to Yellowknife or Hay River in the case of Fort Simpson, who covers that cost?
As I had said the last few days, it’s our small businesses that own buildings that are really impacted by the high power rates. If we are looking at changes to the system, can the Minister explain how the impacts will be for the commercial rates, Mr. Speaker?
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just want to follow up on my Member’s statement and I believe it’s directed to the Minister responsible for the Energy Coordinating Committee on the review of the power rates. Much work has been done to date and I would like to ask the Minister to explain to me, to my constituents, the basis of the work that was done to date. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have always advocated for affordable power rates for our residents and businesses because energy costs have such an impact on the standard of living of families and the success of businesses. I know that the rates of community residents of Nahanni Butte, Jean Marie River and Wrigley are among the highest in the NWT. These rates hit hard.
This winter residents have told me about monthly rates as high as $600 for a family of four. That is a large part of a family’s disposable income and makes it hard for a family to make ends meet. Yesterday I spoke about a Fort Simpson...
I’d like to thank the Minister for his answer, Mr. Speaker, as well as passing on the savings to the customers. Are the planned rates commercial or residential? Are we still going to be looking at some type of territorial power support for the smaller communities?
I know that the Minister could have gone on and on about trying to fulfil the work we’ve done in the last year on the electricity review. I guess the most important thing for me in my constituency, and many small communities, Mr. Speaker, is the assurance that all this work is leading to reducing the rates, thereby the cost of living in our smaller communities. How much of this work that was done, Mr. Speaker, confirms that it is possible to do it in the short term and for the benefit of all as well in the long term? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize Ms. Joanne Deneron, a constituent from Fort Liard. Welcome to the Legislative Assembly.