Debates of October 21, 2010 (day 21)

Topics
Statements

MEMBER’S STATEMENT ON POWER CORPORATION COMPENSATION POLICY FOR POWER SURGES

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last week I did a Member’s statement on the power disruption in Ulukhaktok and how people worked together to get through the problem. I heard on the radio last week, in Inuvik the power surge caused damage to people’s equipment, such as TVs, stereos, computers and other equipment.

There are probably not very many long-term Northerners who have not had equipment damaged in power surges, but you can only imagine my surprise when I heard the Power Corporation was paying compensation to the Inuvik residents for these damages. No one has ever made the offer to the residents of Ulukhaktok or Paulatuk or any other constituency I represent before. I need to learn how to get signed up for this program.

The radio announcer said the Power Corporation was apologizing for the surge and the damages that it caused and the Power Corporation will pay for the damages it has caused. I don’t think I’ve ever heard those words come from the Power Corporation before. In fact, advertisements in the paper told me that the Power Corporation would be making compensation for damages. I guess there’s a first time for everything.

I wonder if the residents in the communities could become eligible for this kind of program. I see many damaged TVs, computers and printers in the communities that I represent and handled many complaints against the Power Corporation, but nothing was ever resolved. I never knew that the residents in the Nunakput communities could get compensation.

I will have questions for the appropriate Minister at the appropriate time.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Mr. Jacobson. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.