Tom Beaulieu

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker.

WHEREAS Section 23.(1) of the Human Rights Act provides that the Commissioner, on the recommendation of the Legislative Assembly, may appoint one or more Deputy Directors of Human Rights to carry out the responsibilities set out in the Act;

AND WHEREAS the Board of Management has recommended an individual to the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Assembly is prepared to make a recommendation;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Monfwi, that Deborah McLeod be reappointed as the Deputy Director of Human Rights during good behaviour for a term of...

Mr. Speaker, will the Minister commit to working with interested Members on this side of the House on this very important matter so an arrangement or an agreement can be put in place to allow Dene elders to harvest bison outside and northeast of the Mackenzie Wood Bison Sanctuary for subsistence purposes?

Here’s my question, Mr. Speaker. My question is fairly specific. I recognize that the current Wildlife Act may not exactly talk about the bison in the Mackenzie Bison Sanctuary. However, I’m wondering if the Wildlife Act with any accompanying regulations has anything covering the traditional harvesting of bison by Dene elders.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. Giving an elder a sample kit of the killed bison is totally disrespectful to the elder and to the value of the traditional knowledge they possess.

I understand the importance of conservation. I also understand the importance of preserving the value of traditional harvesting practices. Consulting with and allowing these Dene elders who have hunted bison all their lives to hunt bison for subsistence purposes only addresses and satisfies those two important values.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As all of us gave Member’s statements on the Power Corp today, I have questions for the Minister responsible for the NWT Power Corp. Can the Minister advise me if the NWT Power Corporation can re-examine their cost allocations in non-tangible areas such as profit, interest and amortization and try to lower the costs in those three areas?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It appears that other companies in other jurisdictions that provide power with hydro are able to provide that power to their customers at a much lower rate than the NWT Power Corporation is able to do. Can the Minister direct the NWT Power Corporation to examine a way to reduce the costs of hydro to the communities?

Mr. Speaker, considering that the fuel resupply had occurred when fuel costs were at their highest, can the Minister advise if the NWT Power Corporation can do a comprehensive review of what they are charging the communities that are currently locked into the high cost of fuel that was resupplied this summer?

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

Today, like my colleagues, I would like to talk about the high cost charged to our residents by the NWT Power Corporation.

My constituents have expressed many concerns over their power bills and the seemingly increasing power rates. This burden has been made even more difficult to deal with when they hear about bonuses that are being paid out to NWT Power Corporation executives while they shuffle their meagre budgets to pay for the basic essentials of life.

I looked into the operating cost distribution of the Power Corporation and was...

Mr. Speaker, in addition to the regulatory regime that directs the Power Corp and helps the Power Corp set their rates, can the Minister direct a comprehensive review of the NWT Power Corporation to examine its full operating costs, especially in the area of how they acquire the infrastructure?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Friday, October 24, 2008, I will move the following motion.

Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Monfwi, that Deborah McLeod be reappointed as deputy director of Human Rights during good behaviour for a term of four years by the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories as recommended by the Legislative Assembly.

And further, that the Speaker be authorized to communicate the effective date of appointment to the Commissioner.