Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the press release issued recently by Northland Utilities, it identifies a number of government policies as a reason for the rate disparities in communities, particularly in Hay River and Fort Smith. It also states its willingness to meet with this government, NTPC and First Nation groups to discuss and fix these policies. Is the Premier prepared to do this?
Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. The honourable Premier, Mr. McLeod.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Of course, we’re always prepared to meet with anybody who wants to meet with us.
Can the Premier explain why NTPC has been knowingly overcharging customers in Hay River power since 2008, and actually, looking at the records, overcharging them roughly $6 million in the last six years alone? Can the Premier explain that?
I’m not sure where he’s getting his numbers from but my understanding is it’s only a difference of one or two cents.
Everything is public record. The Minister of NTPC and the Premier have said many times during the session that the government has no intention to expropriate Northland Utilities from the NWT. It’s hard for me to believe that when this government has introduced government policy after government policy and has penalized Northland Utilities’ customers just because of who serves them. For example, when this government eliminated community-based rates and moved to seven rate zones in 2010, this government allowed NTPC to inappropriately transfer $4 million of its costs to Northland Utilities’ customers without any cause or reason.
Is the Premier ready to accept responsibility for Northland Utilities’ customers who are being overcharged on their power bills?
I’m not aware of these numbers that the Member is putting forward. I don’t know who’s feeding him this information, but if he sends it to us we will deal with it.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Final, short supplementary, Mr. Dolynny.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, public record. A number of government policies obviously exist to penalize Northland Utilities’ customers throughout the NWT. There seems to be very little action on the part of this government to do anything to fix these NTPC overcharges and disparities, given its recent directive to the PUB to not allow these disparities to be corrected.
Will this Premier meet with Northland Utilities and First Nation groups before the territorial election in November to speak about these specific policies and to work together to address them?
All of the rates that are approved have to go through the PUB process.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The Member for Hay River North, Mr. Bouchard.
