Thank you, Mr. Speaker. You’ve certainly made me a happy man today. Let’s see if we can get some happy answers. We’ve been hearing a fair bit, and I wasn’t going to ask a question on this area, but I have to admit that I did hear a colleague on my right, Mr. Dolynny, ask questions about the Power Corporation and the bigger scheme of things. Although we don’t share perspectives, we share the perspective of the public information and what’s good for the public.
That said, there has been a campaign, in my words, of entitlement in the newspaper from a billion dollar industry that has been, in my opinion, a situation where Northerners need another option. We all know the cost of living. Part of their campaign, in my view, is they have been saying the government has been expropriating or attempting to expropriate their assets. I don’t share that perspective and I think there are mechanisms in place, actually, if it so happens that they don’t win the franchise agreement with the Town of Hay River.
Could the Minister responsible for the NWT Power Corporation explain and illustrate the process if the case happens to be that ATCO doesn’t win the franchise agreement? How do they proceed in changing agreements? I thought there was an act that spelled it out in negotiation. I will leave it to the Minister to clarify for the public record, because I have great concern of the word “expropriation” used repeatedly in the public.
Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Minister responsible for the Power Corporation, Mr. Miltenberger.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Regardless of who the successful proponent is or bidder is for the franchise agreement, if it’s not ATCO, then there would be a business negotiation that would hopefully take place in terms of the transfer and selling of the assets, recognizing their assessed value, negotiating whatever other premiums and issues might be dealt with. Failing that, there’s an Arbitration Act, I understand, that would kick in if they reach a stalemate and there’s a need to resolve this issue where there would be binding arbitration.
I appreciate you allowing me to sort of describe it at the beginning with great detail, because I think it’s important.
Would ATCO have had to sign their franchise agreement recognizing in some form or fashion this arbitration process?
I understand that fact is a standard reference in all franchise agreements.
I’m going to ask the Minister this question. I’m not sure it’s the best question, per se, in the sense of it’s under his portfolio or his purview, but he’s certainly a wordsmith.
Is arbitration the same as expropriation in his position or his capacity? Could he best describe it for the House?
No, they are not the same.
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Thank you, Members. The time for question period has expired. Item 8, written questions. Item 9, returns to written questions. Item 10, replies to opening address. Item 11, petitions. Item 12, reports of standing and special committees. Item 13, reports of committees on the review of bills. Mr. Dolynny.
