Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Minister responsible for the Public Utilities Board.
Mr. Speaker, similar to my first question to the Minister of NTPC, will the Minister responsible for the Public Utilities Board commit to work with the Minister of NTPC to have public hearings regarding the impact of increasing electricity rates in the Taltson hydro zone. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Thebacha. Minister responsible for Public Utilities Board.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Public Utilities Board is a quasi judicial board that has the public's opportunity to provide input on rate applications. They also control its own process, meaning the board is responsible for deciding whether the public hearings might be held as a part of their process. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I want to compliment the Public Utilities Board on their neutral oversight as they are the body who oversees power rates increase in the NWT. Examining the submission from NTPC must have the citizens input into their decision on increases to relate fairness in the process. Would the Minister agree with that? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank the Member for your compliment.
I agree with the Member's point, that citizens should have a role in the process. The Public Utilities Board exists to ensure that the public has the opportunity to provide input into the process. Individuals can make those submissions to the board. There is an entire process set up for the public. Almost everything that the board receives as a part of the process is considered public information. They run an open transparent process for anyone who would like to participate. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the public utilities hearings must be made in the communities facetoface, especially for the Taltson hydro zone. Would the Minister agree with that? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to emphasize that the Public Utilities Board is an independent agency here in the Northwest Territories, but it's not for me as the Minister to direct the board as to where they should hold public hearings. The board is responsible for making those decisions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary, Member for Thebacha.
Mr. Speaker, once the decision is made for any increases in electricity in the Taltson hydro zone by the Public Utilities Board, it must have a balance of input from both sides of the equation before implementation happens. Would the Minister agree with that? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's important that the board is to consider public input before making decisions. They're very open and transparent processes that the board operates in order to follow the opportunities that come forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake.
