Debates of June 2, 2006 (day 4)

June
2
2006
Day
4
Speaker
Paul Delorey
Word
Members Present
ITEM 1: PRAYER
Assembly Members
Topics
Bill 3: An Act To Amend The Legislative Assembly And Executive Council Act
Bill 4: An Act To Amend The Supplementary Retiring Allowances Act
Bill 5: An Act To Amend The Territorial Parks Act
Committee Motion 1-15(5): Recommendation To Review Implications Of Including Systemic Remedies In Human Rights Act, Carried
Committee Motion 10-15(5): Recommendation To Consult With Information And Privacy Commissioner Before Moving Public Registries Online, Carried
Committee Motion 11-15(5): Recommendation To Set Standards For Submissions To Information And Privacy Commissioner And Provide Leadership To Public Bodies, Carried
Committee Motion 12-15(5): Recommendation To Update Schedule 'A' To ATIPP Regulations Annually, Carried
Committee Motion 13-15(5): Recommendation To Keep Online Director Of ATIPP Coordinators Current And Provide Link To Directory On Legislative Assembly Website, Carried
Committee Motion 14-15(5): Recommendation That GNWT Public Bodies Consult With Commissioner To Identify Potential Privacy Issues In Early Stages Of Projects, Carried
Committee Motion 15-15(5): Recommendation To Evaluate Capacity To Respond To Access To Information Requests, Carried
Committee Motion 16-15(5): Recommendation To Table Comprehensive Response To Report Within 120 Days, Carried
Committee Motion 2-15(5): Recommendation To Review Implications Of Amending Human Rights Act To Prohibit Discrimination, Carried
Committee Motion 3-15(5): Recommendation To Table Comprehensive Response To Report Within 120 Days, Carried
Committee Motion 4-15(5): Recommendation To Make Public Statements Supporting Principles Of ATIPP Legislation, Carried
Committee Motion 5-15(5): Recommendation To Make Basic Records Management And ATIPP Training Mandatory For Chairs And Executive Directors Of GNWT Boards And Agencies, Carried
Committee Motion 6-15(5): Recommendation To Bring Forward Plan For Developing And Implementing Municipal Information And Privacy Legislation For Consideration By 16th Assembly, Carried
Committee Motion 7-15(5): Recommendation To Review Effectiveness Of PIPEDA And Need For Legislation On Private Sector Use Of Personal Information, Carried
Committee Motion 8-15(5): Recommendation To Ensure Access And Privacy Issues Are Considered In Devolution And Self-Government Negotiations, Carried
Committee Motion 9-15(5): Recommendation To Ensure Adequate Measures Are In Place To Monitor And Enforce Contractors' Compliance Against Disclosure Of Personal Information, Carried
Member’s Statement On Concerns With GNWT Human Resource Service Levels
Member’s Statement On Condolences To The Families Of Richard Apples And Joe Migwi
Member’s Statement On Congratulations To Fort Providence Graduates
Member’s Statement On Congratulations To Nahendeh Graduates
Member’s Statement On Congratulations To Nunakput Graduates
Member’s Statement On Consideration For “Safer Communities” Legislation
Member’s Statement On Due Diligence For New Housing Proposals
Member’s Statement On Need For More Funding For Non-Government Organizations
Member’s Statement On Over-Expenditures And Delays To Capital Projects
Member’s Statement On Proactive Actions Required By Government To Regain Public Trust
Member’s Statement On Process Issues With GNWT Health Insurance Provider
Minister’s Statement 10-15(5): 2006 Get Active NWT Community Challenge
Minister’s Statement 9-15(5): Celebrating The Success Of Graduates
Question 32-15(5): Funding For Non-Government Organizations
Question 33-15(5): Consideration For Safe Communities Legislation
Question 34-15(5): Exploring Options To Meet Housing Needs Other Than Convertible Workforce Housing
Question 35-15(5): Concerns With GNWT Human Resources Service Levels
Question 36-15(5): Ekati Mine Labour Dispute
Question 37-15(5): Consideration For “On-The-Land” Alcohol And Drug Treatment Programs
Question 38-15(5): Status Of Student Residence Facility Planned For Inuvik
Question 39-15(5): GNWT Health Insurance Providers Process Concerns
Question 40-15(5): Value Of Convertible Workforce Housing Project
Question 41-15(5): Affordable Housing Strategy
Question 42-15(5): Change In Scope To Dene K'onia Facility Renovation Project
Question 43-15(5): Residential School Lump Sum Payments
Question 44-15(5): GNWT Employees Seeking Outside Employment
Question 45-15(5): Change In Scope To Dene K'onia Facility Renovation Project
Question 46-15(5): Delivery Of Dust Control Programs For Small Communities
Question 47-15(5): Maintenance Needed For Highways No. 1 And No. 7
Question 48-15(5): Review Process Of The Public Utilities Board
Question 49-15(5): Status Of Canol Heritage Park Project
Tabled Document 10-15(5): NWT Biodiversity Action Plan Report Two: Gap And Overlap Analysis And Recommendations For Future Actions
Tabled Document 14-15(5): The Safer Communities And Neighbourhoods Act - Yukon Presentation
Tabled Document 15-15(5): Toward New Voluntary Sector - Government Of The NWT Relationships And Funding Arrangements - Final Report
Written Question 3-15(5): Dene K'onia Facility Project
Written Question 4-15(5): Statistical Information
Statements

Question 48-15(5): Review Process Of The Public Utilities Board

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for Minister McLeod, Minister of the Public Utilities Board. I would like to know from the Minister if the board is required to hold a hearing before making a decision on applications. They had a fuel rider and a pension rider and, as far as I know, there were no hearings conducted on either of those and they were both approved. Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Minister for the Public Utilities Board, Mr. McLeod.

Return To Question 48-15(5): Review Process Of The Public Utilities Board

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the board is required to review the applications on public utilities operating in the Northwest Territories regarding rates and rate structures. If it warrants hearings or whether it’s actual formal hearings in the community or through a process, what’s considered to be a proper hearing, that’s the board’s decision. I can’t confirm with any certainty whether it’s an actual requirement; depending on the level of what is requested in the application, I would assume. I would have to confirm that though, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Supplementary, Mr. Robert McLeod.

Supplementary To Question 48-15(5): Review Process Of The Public Utilities Board

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thanks to the Minister for that. The Public Utilities Act states that the board has the authority to rescind a decision and they may rehear a matter before deciding it. In this case, it’s hearing the matter for the first time. Where does that come from? Does the Minister have the authority to rescind a decision and then hold a hearing? Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Minister Mike McLeod.

Further Return To Question 48-15(5): Review Process Of The Public Utilities Board

Mr. Speaker, the Public Utilities Board was established to serve as an expert body and an independent body to review the rate setting process in the rate setting process. It was also set up to insulate the Government of the Northwest Territories from the potential for conflict in the view of controlling the financial interests. Consumers, of course, have the right to be treated fairly. Again, Mr. Speaker, I am not sure if I have the answer the Member is asking, if I have the authority to overrule the Public Utilities Board. I would have to take that question as notice, Mr. Speaker.