Nahendeh

Statements in Debates

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 38)

The provision of any type of services for Wrigley is essential. I believe the recent Statistics Canada figures state that Wrigley is one of the ones with a declining population. That’s exactly because there is a lack of services. There is still that lack of services today, and I believe they are essential.

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 38)

Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Health and Social Services with respect to my Member’s statement. The provision of consistent, dependable health care to all our communities is a goal of ours and the territorial government’s.

The issue is about Wrigley and its lack of a community nurse, which has been requested ever since the last time they had that service there, whatever the circumstances were that led to the departure of the nurse at that time. To return a nurse, the case has always been that there has to be safety in place; there has to be community policing.

Over time I...

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 37)

I don’t think residents of Nahendeh believe that for a minute, because we have two distinct different operating communities. We’ve got South Lake, which uses a different utility provider, and then you’ve got a community like Nahanni Butte, which uses NTPC, and their rates are almost a dollar different there. How can that be? That’s why I believe in an internalized review of the NWT Power Corporation. How our people pay for this cost should be reviewed and internalized before we ask for an increase in rates for all the communities. I’d like the Minister to see if he can do that.

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 37)

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Minister responsible for the NWT Power Corporation with regard to the general rate application increase for 2008.

Once again, as in my Member’s statement, I said that residents disagree. I’m here to ask the Minister: is there a way to delay or defer this process until we get a good review of the NWT Power Corporation? Another way of doing business there is to look at reducing the operating costs. Can the Minister address that? Mahsi.

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 37)

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Does the Minister know if a part of the general rate application community hearings — I think that’s what they’re proposing — will be in some of our smaller communities, in particular the Nahendeh communities?

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 37)

I really believe that there’s got to be another way of doing this, that the Power Corporation is the one that submits the general rate application. They must have the ability to at least look at their operating costs to be able to determine some savings there, some efficiencies, and then use those internalized savings to pass on to the customers. Then maybe there is an increase, but it doesn’t have to be straight to the pocketbooks of our NWT residents.

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 37)

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. [English translation not provided.]

Mr. Speaker, the NTPC general rate increase for 2008, I’d like to address this burning issue for Nahendeh residents: a proposed increase in power rates to the NWT smaller communities. I have long been a champion of a standard flat rate system. That’s right: a one rate power zone. This, I believe, brings fairness and equality to all NWT residents in regard to having an essential service, electricity, in all our homes, the same access and the same benefits no matter where you live in our NWT.

One year ago I asked the Public Utilities...

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 33)

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, and thank you very much, colleagues. I just wanted to say a special thanks to the pages who come from Fort Liard, Ms. Blair Kotchea and Ms. Tina Klondike. They had a nice long travel over here, and I hope they have good, safe travel home.

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 33)

If the Minister can provide any of the details he’s talking about, or any documentation, that would be helpful to me and my constituents. Certainly, he’ll have my support in moving this forward too.

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 33)

Thank you very much. I’m very glad to hear they’re seeking not only that but other alternatives. I’d just like to know once again: how soon are they looking at implementing such a program? And do interlock devices require separate legislation, or will they be including that in any amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act?