Mr. Speaker, we are overdue for a thorough and independent review of the Northwest Territories Power Corporation, its operations, its innovations and its response in meeting the evolving needs of communities and residents. It is my view that this review should include the potential need for a complete restructuring.
The Power Corporation is a utility — a public utility, an arm of the GNWT — rather than a private corporation, but this is not reflected in its attitude. It has been six years since the Public Utilities Board ordered the Power Corporation to file interconnection standards for net metering, yet we are still awaiting these. While millions of such systems exist around the world, there is yet to be a single residential grid size power system in the Northwest Territories.
Power rates do indeed need to be reviewed. There is some help required for some of our communities that are paying really exorbitant costs, but rates should be designed in ways that still reflect the local cost of power, and that’s going to be tricky. We need to focus on bringing down costs where they are high, and any new or additional revenue should be directed to achieving our multiple goals of reducing costs and greenhouse gases, increasing community self-sufficiency and developing our local economies.
Mr. Speaker, the government has embarked on a review of electrical rates in the Northwest Territories. However, I am concerned that reviewing the rates without a thorough review of our power provider will not move us forward on this issue.
Some communities, residents and businesses are beginning to propose, design and even implement their own power systems because of the intolerable costs and barriers they face. Increasingly, efficient appliances and homes are becoming available. These situations reduce power demand to the Power Corporation facilities and, given the stagnant response of our corporation, end up driving up costs for other consumers.
Rather than fighting these trends, we need a progressive power company that embraces new ways of doing business and that partners with individuals, businesses and communities — one that helps bring state of the art technology into service and strengthens community self-sufficiency by encouraging local energy solutions. Our communities provide their own water and sewage services, including billing and accounting. There is no reason they cannot be further engaged in the provision of power services.
Mr. Speaker, I request unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
Unanimous consent granted.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Instead, the record reveals a corporation with little innovation, one that pays out the highest bonuses and compensations we have despite some attempt at curtailment by our Public Utilities Board, and a performance that is flagging with lack of leadership. Let’s grab this bull by the horns, do the review and structure our power systems to be responsive and responsible to the needs of our citizens and our communities. Mahsi.
Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Jacobson.
