Debates of November 3, 2014 (day 48)

Date
November
3
2014
Session
17th Assembly, 5th Session
Day
48
Speaker
Members Present
Hon. Glen Abernethy, Hon. Tom Beaulieu, Ms. Bisaro, Mr. Blake, Mr. Bouchard, Mr. Bromley, Mr. Dolynny, Mrs. Groenewegen, Mr. Hawkins, Hon. Jackie Jacobson, Hon. Jackson Lafferty, Hon. Bob McLeod, Hon. Robert McLeod, Mr. Menicoche, Hon. Michael Miltenberger, Mr. Moses, Mr. Nadli, Hon. David Ramsay, Mr. Yakeleya
Topics
Statements

MEMBER’S STATEMENT ON SUSTAINABLE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT IN THE SAHTU

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Did you know that we have a lot in common with Ontario when it comes to complaints about government services or agencies? Getting the most grief in Ontario, which the ombudsman addressed in his 2013 report, included, ringing in at number one with nearly 7,000 complaints: Hydro One. Trailing in at second: the Family Responsibility Office of Ontario with 1,157 complaints.

It’s time to get down to the facts. Isn’t it interesting that the top two agencies or the departments formerly complained about in Ontario are probably the top two in the Northwest Territories. Let’s stick with energy since it’s the word of the day.

Last month the government said the people in Fort Good Hope would pay less to fill up their vehicles. Instead, the people saw prices at their pump jump from $1.80 a litre to $1.83 per litre. A promise is a promise is a promise.

Colville Lake customers got the unpleasant surprise, a 6 percent markup at their pumps at $1.99 a litre. Something doesn’t add up. But who are you gonna call? Not the Ghostbusters.

We have an abundance of energy resources beneath our feet in the Sahtu. Why aren’t we using it? Why are we relying and building and continuing to build our dependency on foreign oil and gas? The time is now, the time for sustainable resource development in the Sahtu in the North, and a time for an independent watchdog here in the Northwest Territories.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Moses.