Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I heard my colleague from Yellowknife Centre talking about the cost of power in Yellowknife, feeling that Yellowknife residents are being singled out in some way and not getting the same kind of subsidy as other communities in the Northwest Territories.
Without the benefit of unedited Hansard, I’d like to ask the Minister responsible for the Power Corporation, did the Minister say that the high cost of power in Hay River and Yellowknife had something to do with the franchises operated by Northland Utilities? Thank you.
Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation, Mr. Miltenberger.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When we provide the information to the Member, I’ll be happy to share the cost breakdowns by community, what they sell the power for, what residents pay for in the hydro communities. I can lay out, as well, for thermal communities, but the residential rate is pegged to the Yellowknife rate. There is a cost difference based on who the distributor, who the provider of power is.
I’d like to ask the Minister if he’s aware of an institution called the Public Utilities Board and that in fact the provision of all power, electricity in the Northwest Territories is a highly regulated utility where, whether it’s Northland Utilities or the Power Corporation, they make application to the PUB under a general rate application process and the rates that they charge are regulated. It’s based on rate of return, the cost of doing business and this is an organization that’s appointed and overseen by this government.
So I’d like to ask the Minister that while he is comparing the price in the hydro communities where NUL holds the franchise, would he also like to look at some of the smaller diesel communities where NUL delivers the utility, as well, compare those communities of the same size where the service is delivered by NTPC? Could he provide that to the House? Thank you.
Thank you. Yes, we will provide the complete package for the Members. Thank you.
Thank you. I’d like to ask Minister Miltenberger if he is challenging the decision-making process provided by the Public Utilities Board of the Northwest Territories. Thank you.
Not at all, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Final, short supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With the disadvantage of not having unedited Hansard before me, I will review Hansard and if in fact Mr. Miltenberger did make a statement in the House today which is incorrect, I will be asking him to withdraw tomorrow. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Moses.
