Louis Sebert

Mr. Speaker, once the arbitrator works out the price of the assets to be acquired in Hay River we are confident that that figure will, in fact, lead to a reduction of rates in Hay River. As everyone knows, all rates are, however, subject to PUB scrutiny. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Of course, I can't address the individual complaint. As I mentioned, there is a process. If a person does not feel that a matter has been properly investigated by the RCMP, they can go to the local detachment head and that matter would likely be passed on to the senior RCMP officer within G Division. However, if a person is not satisfied with the results of the RCMP investigation, they can ask for an independent review by the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission, the CRCC, so there are avenues to deal with complaints about the way in which a case has been handled by the RCMP.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can advise that the Crown attorney's office and the RCMP do treat these breaches of undertakings, in particular, very seriously. If a person feels threatened or there has been a breach of conditions, they can go to the RCMP. My experience over five different decades in the court system is that these breaches are treated very seriously, often leading to a hearing in which the accused person who is charged or accused of a violation of his undertaking, that is the conditions of his release, then has to establish, the onus is on that person then to establish why they...

This is a very busy government. All of the MLAs are very busy. People may want reform, but there doesn't seem to be any obvious solution in the sense that when asked people have many different ideas about what a new system of voting could look like, and I just don't think that this government feels that changing the current system, which has worked well for many years, would be a high priority or a priority at all.

No, we haven't.

Mr. Speaker, I can advise that we have, of course, as the Member opposite mentioned, engaged with the federal government. Also, there have been preliminary discussions with officials in the Province of Saskatchewan. We are waiting for the federal infrastructure budget to see if we can access those funds for major development.

The Government of the Northwest Territories does recognize that Northland Utilities is a good corporate citizen. I can advise that the Premier and I did have the opportunity of meeting with senior management of Northland and ATCO, I think it was a couple of months ago. It was an amicable meeting, and we have a good relationship with them.

Yes. Of course, the Power Corporation is aware that assets depreciate and, in addition, the government has been looking into a new energy plan and consulting with utilities. Mr. Speaker, again, I will look into this matter further for the Member opposite. I don't know if there's a figure out there as to what it would cost to replace the entire system, but again, I will look into it.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As this House well knows, the Town of Hay River has decided several years ago to seek other providers for the franchise in Hay River. Currently, that matter has gone to arbitration to determine the price. So evaluators are being hired and, ultimately, the arbitrator will make a decision as to price.

That, of course, is only for the Hay River franchise. My understanding is that the other franchise arrangements that ATCO and Northland has will not be affected by that, but we believe that, assuming a reasonable valuation of the assets comes in and is provided to the...

Mr. Speaker, there's a long tradition across Canada of Public Utilities Boards setting rates. It is an interesting proposal, what the Member opposite has suggested, however.