Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Further to my Member’s statement today regarding the Tuk wind project in the community of Tuk, Mr. Speaker, it appears there’s a misunderstanding between the government and the community corporation on the deal to build the wind project in Tuktoyaktuk. Mr. Speaker, I’m wondering what is the Premier and the Minister doing to clear this up and can he help me to get clarity so this project can go forward. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Jacobson. The honourable Minister responsible for the Power Corporation, Mr. Roland.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The issue of the wind turbines is one that we’ve been watching as the discussions have been ongoing about purchasing power back through to the Power Corporation. We will continue to monitor that. If the requirement is if there’s call about providing additional information, we will commit to doing that and see what we can do to help have all the appropriate information so that the community can make the right decision. Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, other communities in Nunakput have consistent winds for this project. If it does not go ahead in Tuk, can we make sure that communities like Sachs Harbour, Paulatuk and Ulukhaktok can go ahead with this wind program on their own under the same project?
Mr. Speaker, of course we are hopeful that a satisfactory approach can be resolved here with the Tuk community and the wind turbine situation. Of course, if that is not able to proceed, we would go back to the Ministers of the Energy Coordinating Committee and relook at that and evaluate where we can do that and reallocate funds to communities that are willing and where we have the studies to show that wind is consistent enough for wind power. Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, will the Minister reassure the Power Corporation that this wind program represents no significant cost and risk to the community? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I will get the information necessary to show the parameters of that project, what it means, the idea. That is why this government is putting capital funds in place to help offset that initial cost. We will get the additional information and provide it to the Member. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Roland. Final supplementary, Mr. Jacobson.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am hoping this project does not get stalled, because of the 15 to 20 jobs for local hire for this project, where it is all tight work in our small communities. I just want to make sure that this is going to stabilize our power bills, because we have such high power bills in the communities, so it wouldn’t spike on our coldest months of the year.
Mr. Speaker, will the Minister reallocate the funds again from Tuk to one of the other Nunakput communities? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, as I stated earlier, if the situation in the community of Tuk doesn’t correct itself and we find a satisfactory solution there, we would look at the other communities within that area, or around the Territory as a possibility, but we would look at where there is a wind factor. Again, hopefully we could find a satisfactory report on this. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.
