Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question I believe is for the Minister of the Power Corporation or the ATCO proposal. I’m wondering what criteria have been given to the review committee who are looking at the ATCO proposal. Are they asking is it well written, will it reduce power costs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase employment, lower environmental impacts? I’m wondering what guidance has been given to that review committee. We certainly didn’t have any input to that.
Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The honourable Minister responsible for the NWT Power Corporation, Mr. Roland.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I guess, first of all, the Power Corporation itself is not a part of that process. It is under the Executive branch that we’re doing this review on that piece. I’ve requested some time with committee to sit down and go over it. It is general in nature initially. We want to do the first phase as to what they’ve put on the table and get some more detail. In fact, the group will be meeting with a couple of the experts in the field coming up, so they can sit down with them to get further indication of what they would want to do. But it’s based on what the offer’s been put on the table is the initial phase of looking at that.
We have a number of other things within the Power Corporation itself and the review of the Power Corporation around electricity distribution delivery that we’re doing some work on as well. Also, the Minister of the Energy Coordinating Committee tabled in the House the Hydro Strategy for the Northwest Territories. All of these pieces will have to fit together as we look at the future of the Northwest Territories and development of energy possibilities.
I appreciate those comments. Just for clarification, is there a terms of reference for this ATCO power proposal review committee? Is there a terms of reference for them? If so, would the Minister table that in the House?
It’s one thing to engage with a private sector company and look at a proposal and establish a terms of reference for our crew to have a look at that. I’m prepared to sit down with committee to go over that and present the terms of reference at that time, but I’m not prepared at this time to table them.
Given that this is clearly a behind-the-scenes, behind-closed-doors process, and we’ve had no input into it, and we’ve had repeated calls for a public/private partnership policy, I’m wondering what guidance this Premier has given along the line in the absence of that policy and exactly what process he will provide the Members on this side of the House for real input that can assure the public that this behind-closed-doors process is a valid one.
I guess clearly the 3P process or work that’s beginning is separate from an initiative like this. We’re looking at a partnership potentially that could help us. As well, I’ve said to other groups out there, for example the regional leadership, if they want to put a proposal in, we’d be prepared to look at it. We don’t know the levels of partnership that would be involved. But at this time, as I’ve committed to Members and said a number of times, the initial review of the proposal that was brought forward I’ll get a response, I will go back to Cabinet and then committee before any further decisions and decide if this is the right avenue to be going, so Members are well aware of steps that need to be taken or should be considered.
Thank you, Mr. Roland. Final supplementary, Mr. Bromley.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, I just have to say if this public government is partnering with a private company, it sounds like 3P policy would be appropriate to have in place to help guide that process. Can the Minister at least assure me that there are strong environmental considerations that the committee has been alerted to, to ensure is part of the review of this unsolicited proposal?
One of the overall things, our own interest in the Northwest Territories is how we can reduce our footprint when it comes to the environment. The Hydro Strategy that we’ve put out there is one of those avenues, as this budget also speaks to alternative energy. So we’re definitely interested in that piece. As we go forward, looking at those initiatives, it would be the next stage. The first stage is looking at what they’ve actually brought to the table and what it means in detail for any steps going forward. I’m prepared to sit down with Members on that and go through a process with Members.
Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.
