Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in my seven years as the MLA for the Sahtu, I made some shocking discoveries about the electrical rates in the Northwest Territories, and now, finally, the lights are coming on. Mr. Speaker, communities are not being treated equally; plain and simple. However, with the new power rates offered by the lead Minister for the Ministerial Energy Coordinating Committee last week, there is hope, there is some light at the end of the tunnel. It took all of us to turn the heat up on this government to do something about the power rates.
I understand that the new structure will result in a decrease in many of the Sahtu communities and communities in the Northwest Territories. It will be very beneficial to my communities and elsewhere. I want to thank the Minister for that. I want to thank the government for that.
Mr. Speaker, in continuing with the utilities and the cost of the utilities, I want to address the issue of natural gas price increases in Norman Wells. For example, now, how this new structure rate will help the good residents of Norman Wells, because at the beginning of February the rate of gas in Norman Wells was 30 percent higher than in December. Imperial Oil plans to raise the price by 30 percent every year for the next two years. Imagine the impact on residents and small business owners in the town of Norman Wells.
But you know, Mr. Speaker, the federal government walks away every year with $125 million in their pockets from the resource royalties and the profits of being an owner in the Norman Wells oilfield. Let me repeat that, Mr. Speaker, the feds are getting $125 million each year from Norman Wells. I guess it’s good to be boss, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, now that we have shown leadership, we have taken control, we have given power back to the people, let’s get together and let’s sit down with the federal government and let them start paying their power bills to the Northwest Territories, the rightful owner. The power belongs to the people of the Northwest Territories and let’s keep it at that. Period.
Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.
