Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories government has been looking at the so-called ATCO proposal. Mr. Speaker, there have been discussions between the Premier, the Minister of Finance and Nancy Southern of ATCO.
Mr. Speaker, with regard to assets this government owns, in excess of almost $200 million, it’s one of the largest assets this government has been able to retain after division. Mr. Speaker, the asset is owned not only by the Government of the Northwest Territories but the people of the Northwest Territories, which was transferred back in 1988 from the federal government.
It is very important that anything that happens by way of selling government assets should be retained by Northerners in regard to share equity and also looking at the possibility of equity of large aboriginal corporations, development corporations, settlement corporations, yet nothing has been mentioned in discussions with First Nations governments or aboriginal corporations to see if they are interested in this project.
I know this is an issue that came up at the Beaufort Leaders’ Meeting. The Gwich’in Tribal Council were asking us why can’t the Gwich’in Development Corporation or the Gwich’in Tribal Council retain equity in the Taltson project or the selling off of any public assets whether it’s the Power Corporation in the Inuvik region or the potential of buying into high-scale hydro projects.
Mr. Speaker, this government has to be open to everyone and not just the first application that comes forward and gets dumped on Cabinet’s desk and then everyone else falls in line.
Mr. Speaker, I will be asking the Premier questions on this matter on the consideration of aboriginal participation in any hydro projects and also allowing for equity participation, ensuring the assets we all own stay with the residents of the Northwest Territories. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.
