Mr. Speaker, I, too, have questions in regard to the high cost of energy in the Northwest Territories. My question is directed to the Minister of the energy committee, Mr. Bob McLeod. In light of the motions that have been passed in this house, and also realizing we have a major threat on our hands with the high energy costs and the effect they’re going to have — from governments to our residents to our business community — I’d like to ask the Minister: how soon will we be able to see some correspondence back from the ministerial committee in regard to acting and moving on some of these recommendations and motions passed in this House?
Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Minister responsible for energy initiatives, Hon. Bob McLeod.
We’ve undertaken this work, and we’ve submitted draft terms of reference. As soon as we get some feedback on the draft terms of reference, we’ll be able to start the process on the review of the rate. We’ll be looking at hopefully having something we could introduce in 2009.
Mr. Speaker, in regard to the 15th Assembly, I believe work was already undertaken by the Northwest Territories Power Corporation board, but it happened that they all got axed for doing that. I’d just like to ask the Minister: since the work has already been done, have you looked at reinstating the work that has been done in the 15th Assembly by the Northwest Territories Power Corporation?
It is our intention to resurrect all of the work that has been done in the past and utilize that in the review of the rates by the committee. It is also our intention to talk to the public and other stakeholders. Certainly the work that was done on the single rate would be very useful in determining the options we would be bringing forward for review.
Mr. Speaker, just a verification: I believe that was the 14th Assembly.
My question to the Minister is: what’s exactly the next step? We do have questions with energy costs. We have problems with our territorial power support program. I know it’s a large thing we are talking about with hydro expansions and whatnot, yet we can’t lose sight of the biggest cost we have, which is diesel costs. I’d like to ask the Minister: are you looking at the whole — diesel fuel for transportation, the logistics and, more importantly, the cost of where we can get cheaper diesel fuel to run our diesel communities?
There are quite a number of different aspects of the energy costs, and through the Energy Corp coordinating committee we are trying to ensure that all the Ministers who have responsibilities have input into the process. I guess the most urgent thing is to look at ways to reduce the cost of resupply for diesel fuel. I think we’re doing that through the Department of Public Works.
Also, as part of this rate review we’ll be looking at the cost of the regulatory process. We want to see if that’s adding to the cost of fuel for people in communities. We will also be looking at the way the Power Corporation establishes or recovers their costs and sets their rates. We would also be looking at how other jurisdictions do it to see if there are better ways of doing business.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Final short supplementary, Mr. Krutko.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister mentioned that they’re looking at having a report out in 2009. Is there a possibility that Members on this side of the House could see a draft report prior to that, say before this fall sitting, so we can have an idea of where you’re going with this and so we can also have input into the process?
It’s our intention to work very closely with the standing committees and any Member who is interested in the high cost of energy in the Northwest Territories. We’re starting the process with the draft terms of reference. We’re looking forward to receiving comments from the standing committee.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.
