Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions today are for the Minister responsible for the NTPC.
My first question, Mr. Speaker, is NTPC's most recent rate application was authorized for three years starting in May of 2019. That means the current rate schedule has almost expired and the PUB needs to approve a new one. And so I'm wondering if the Minister can update the House on when the public can expect to know the proposed changes to rates over the next three years? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Kam Lake. Minister responsible for Northwest Territories Power Corporation.
Quanani. The Northwest Territories Power Corporation will file the general rate application, or the GRA, with the Public Utilities Board on March the 25th. So, you know, in order to be able to meet the requirements to file by March 31st. Quanani.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm wondering if the Minister can indicate what ratepayers can expect to pay for power as a result of the general rate application and how they can get involved in the process? Thank you.
Quanani. The general rate application by NTPC will be posted on the Public Utilities Board soon after it's received. Quanani.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, NTPC's capital plan has budgeted over $300 million in spending over the next five years. The plan shows that the federal government will provide only 27 cents on the dollar. A lot of our other infrastructure projects here in the Northwest Territories received 75cent dollars. And so I'm wondering if the Minister can speak to why that is and whether this government intends to pursue 75cent dollars for NTPC. Thank you.
Quanani. The GNWT continues to work with Canada to look for flexibility in our previously approved projects under the federal funding agreements. Many jurisdiction are facing this challenge with COVID and other inflationary pressures that affect capital projects. It is also, too, important to note that any contributions from the GNWT for capital projects will not impact the general rates. Quanani.
Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary, Member for Kam Lake.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I know the Minister wants to minimize rates as much as possible across the Northwest Territories, and a big help for that would be increasing third party funding. So I'm wondering if the Minister can confirm whether NTPC has its own dedicated team to source federal funding or if a dedicated position to source innovation and partnership dollars can be implemented within NTPC staff? Thank you.
Quanani. The Northwest Territories Power Corporation does not have designated resource within its staff that deals with assessing federal or third party funding. I would note that the federal government does not enter into funding arrangements with provincial or territorial Crown corporations but will enter into funding arrangements for Crown corporations with provinces and territories. The necessary expertise to seek this federal and third party funding already exists within the Department of Infrastructure, and Finance as well. If we were to create a designated person, personnel in NTPC to seek funding from the federal government, that cost would have to be passed on to the ratepayers through increased electricity, and I'm not prepared to do that. Quanani.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Great Slave.
