Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are directed probably to the Premier in regard to the reviews that have been taking place on the energy needs and the Power Corporation and looking at the affordability of energy in the Northwest Territories. I’d like to ask the Premier how soon we can have a debate in this Legislature where those documents can be brought forward and tabled in this House so that a public debate can be had on this issue and the people of the Northwest Territories can see where we stand on this issue and what it’s going to do to improve the power rates for the majority of the people in the Northwest Territories.
Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Premier, Mr. Roland.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The work of the Minister in lead of the Ministerial Energy Coordinating Committee has presented early phases of the work to the standing committee and there are hopes that we’ll be able to put our GNWT response in as soon as, I believe it is April but I’ll have to confirm that.
As I said in my statement, I think this is probably one of the achievements we can make as the 16th Assembly by doing something that will really show results. I think we have to move on this. I think the people in our communities, especially the smaller communities, who are struggling to pay their bills these days, especially the ones who are now unemployed and looking for work. It raises the importance of high energy costs and finding ways to reduce them.
I would like to ask the Premier how soon they can come forward so we can have a debate on this issue in this House.
The response that we’re working on will have to come forward here. Any structural change to the way the rates are set up will have to come through this Assembly. There will have to be a debate. As I stated, the timing right now is looking at probably our spring session as an opportunity, but we’re hoping that if all goes well, that we could be looking at changes, if this Assembly agrees to them, before the next winter season hits us.
I believe that we do have to change the system and change an obsolete process. In regard to the legislation we have in this House, we have some outdated legislation regarding the PUB and the Power Corporation. I believe we will have to make some legislative changes.
I’d like to ask the Premier if he sees any legislative changes coming forward and when he intends to deal with them in this House.
The rates, depending on the full response we put forward to the report that was put out there, we know there will be some structural changes using our existing legislation that is in place. For further changes we will have to go back to Members to see what can take place. I know that in the response we’re working on we’ll come forward before committee and lay out a timeline for that discussion and changes to be in place and implemented.
Thank you, Mr. Roland. Final supplementary, Mr. Krutko.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to thank the Premier for that, because I believe it’s fundamental change that people don’t like. Like anything else with change, it’s human nature to react first before realizing what they’re getting into. I’d ask the Premier to move on this matter and keep the public informed on where we’re going. I think at the end of the day they are the ones who will determine where we stand on this issue.
Indeed we know that any changes to our electrical structure rates and regulations will have an impact on the people we represent. We must have that discussion in this forum so that we know they are all aware of what the plan is and how we plan to move forward. There is a commitment that we will have that debate here. The Minister responsible will be providing further information on timelines. As I stated, if everything goes as we’ve anticipated, and the discussions and final plans are put in place, we could see changes going forward as soon as the next winter cycle.
Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Jacobson.
