Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to ask the Minister responsible for the Power Corporation some questions about resolving this issue. We've had a lot of discussion in this House and in the public around the issue of affordable power in the Northwest Territories; however, the debate has largely centred on the claims from NTPC versus the claims from ATCO, when the real issue that Northerners have on their minds is how to make power more affordable.
Now the Power Corporation mentioned systemic issues that drive up the cost of power, and one of those is a lack of connection to the continental grid. I'd like the Minister to provide an update on how NTPC is planning on resolving this systemic issue in the short to mid to long-term? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Minister responsible for NWT Power Corp.
Mr. Speaker, connecting with the national or even international grid clearly would not be a short-term thing we could possible contemplate, as it would be a very expensive project to connect either through Saskatchewan or Alberta. There are costs, but certainly there have been talks at a very high level about that very project and we will be in talks with Saskatchewan as to the possibility of such a project proceeding; however, it is a project of great complexity involving several governments, also involving several Aboriginal groups on our side of the border and several on the Saskatchewan side of the border. So we are looking at this project because unless we have a massive population increase here the only way long-term to reduce costs would be to export.
Mr. Speaker, this government is engaging in three major transportation corridors; the North Slave Geological Province which we've heard about today involves the government of Nunavut and numerous Aboriginal governments as well. This is a multi-jurisdictional mega project. If we can do that why can't we do this?
Yes, certainly, Mr. Speaker, we are looking at these projects. All of these projects involve great complexity. It's not as though we've completed any of these mega projects. So I would expect as time goes on that we will have talks with Saskatchewan or perhaps other governments with a view to exporting power which is really the only way to reduce costs.
The Minister just said that exporting power has been the way to reduce cost. Does the Minister also agree that lowering the cost of power in the Northwest Territories would lower costs of doing business and provide more incentive for people to live, stay here, and start businesses, and for the mining industry to open new projects? Does the Minister agree that lowering the cost of power is a key economic concern for Northerners and for our economy?
Clearly, lower costs would be a benefit both to private individuals and to industry. Thank you.
So, Mr. Speaker, we've gotten some facts out here around a long-term strategic goal for solving this problem. We're not hearing that in the press. Will the Minister commit to making the Power Corporation's long-term plans for making our energy system more affordable through infrastructure development, through multi-lateral agreements with other governments? Will he commit to making that kind of vision public the same way he's countering Northland's claims in the media? Will he start talking about positive things and not just countering the opposition?
Mr. Speaker, I will promise to this House to talk about positive things.
Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife North.
