Michael Miltenberger

As far as we are aware, yes.

Yes, I do, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I think it’s a reflection of a number of things. ITI, we have a fair number of parks, all these projects that are underway. As you will notice, they cover a good range of the Northwest Territories. In just about every place, as the Member pointed out earlier, there are circumstances, for whatever reason or case-by-case that resulted in projects not quite getting completed. The amounts of money per park are small and it is anticipated that these will be completed this season.

The other thing I’d point out, especially in the smaller communities these types of projects are...

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following three documents, entitled “Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 2014-2015,” “Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 2, 2015-2016” and “Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 1, 2015-2016.” Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. There were discussions and negotiations with the contractor that extended farther than was anticipated, which precluded us from taking advantage of the previous season. Hence, it’s all been sorted out and everything is operational now, but hence the requirement for the carry-over. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following letter from the mayor of Hay River, dated May 27, 2015, regarding support for the NWT Power Corporation bid. Thank you.

The government has been very consistent in its approach to energy and to the Power Corporation to how we deliver things, how we deliver power, our emphasis on the cost of living, and it’s very, very simple. The issue that the Member refers to, we have the proof before us. You have one community at 31 cents per kilowatt, you have two neighbouring communities at 21 cents per kilowatt.

Can we effect a positive change? Yes, we can. I believe that we will significantly close that gap if that opportunity is presented to the Power Corporation.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member has shown himself to be a very vocal and aggressive defender and supporter of powerful money, multinational interests headquartering outside of the Northwest Territories and clearly today he’s going to vent his spleen on the Power Corporation, which is, I think, a very good corporation that we’d all be lost without.

On the issue of dividends, let’s make the distinction between the Power Corporation and a private company. The people of the Northwest Territories own the Power Corporation. There’s one shareholder. Rather than take a dividend, we reinvest all the...

Mr. Speaker, on April 22, 2015, the federal government announced a $500 million increase to the GNWT borrowing limit, bringing the federally imposed borrowing limit to $1.3 billion; as well, the definition of self-financing debt is being revised. Post devolution this increase in our borrowing limit gives the Government of the Northwest Territories increased flexibility to invest, in consultation with Members of the Legislative Assembly, in much needed infrastructure that will support the responsible development of the NWT and its economy and bring down the cost of living for communities and...

Some would suggest that intervening in a process that’s already underway would be meeting with one of the proponents after the public process has started, as has occurred. However, the issue here is very clear. It’s a political one. I’m the Minister responsible. I’m very well aware of the political sensitivities that this issue has, that if the Power Corporation would have gone ahead without political due diligence we would be in a considerably different situation. Then we would be getting pilloried and vilified and hectored for different reasons. We have covered the bases. We have looked at...