Bob Bromley

Perhaps I wasn’t talking so much about changing the Public Utilities Board as giving them a voice so that we can be fully informed. I think we are doing a review of the Power Corporation, or at least recognize the need for it. Where is the voice of the Public Utilities Board here?

That leads me to my final question. The last Assembly adopted, I believe it’s called, the NWTEC, Northwest Territories Energy Corporation, or something like that, that’s now the umbrella organization. How does that corporation fit with the responsibilities of the Power Corporation and protecting our consumers, working...

I would like to acknowledge that there are many issues that the Power Corp is struggling with. There are some of the increasing efficiencies we’ve learned about and that are becoming available technically that make it harder to service the capital the Power Corp has to look after.

I think there could have been a much more innovative response to this and more innovative or progressive adoption of this technology.

Given this and the Minister’s comments, would he commit to starting a thorough and independent review of the Power Corporation which would include a possible restructuring to address all...

I’d like to recognize Leslie Bader, at least a former constituent — perhaps still — and a practitioner of the arts. Welcome, Leslie.

Mr. Speaker, we are overdue for a thorough and independent review of the Northwest Territories Power Corporation, its operations, its innovations and its response in meeting the evolving needs of communities and residents. It is my view that this review should include the potential need for a complete restructuring.

The Power Corporation is a utility — a public utility, an arm of the GNWT — rather than a private corporation, but this is not reflected in its attitude. It has been six years since the Public Utilities Board ordered the Power Corporation to file interconnection standards for net...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My fingernails are still recovering from my work trying to get the government to do that. I’m very well aware of that $500,000. In fact, I acknowledged that clearly in my statement earlier today, and I’m very appreciative of that.

What we’re talking about here is revenue dollars from the lottery. I would like to hear the Minister commit to put some attention into considering that arts be included in the beneficiaries of those lottery dollars, as per the request of people throughout the Northwest Territories. I’m not saying scoop it all. I recognize the importance of our...

Thanks to the Minister for those comments. I don’t actually disagree that sports is a good place for revenues to go, but there is an additional need, still, for support for our arts and cultural programs.

As I mentioned in my statement, almost every jurisdiction in Canada does do that — provide some of their support to arts and culture. As well, most other jurisdictions provide dollars directly to sports programs. They don’t just rely on the lottery revenues.

I’d like to find out how we can get this done. How can we modify this program? This is input from the public. It’s not something I’m...

I would like to recognize Shad Turner. He gave us a beautiful rendition of our national anthem. Also, Mr. Paul Andrews, another Weledeh resident. Welcome to the House.

Nothing further. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thanks to the Minister for those comments. I recognize those situations.

Again, I think there is an opportunity here to save the taxpayer some dollars, to save the environment some greenhouse gas emissions. I think we heard the Minister of Human Resources talking earlier about how we want to develop a good working relationship with our employees and so on. I think challenges are something, especially for good causes, that our employees really react to.

Here’s a situation. The environment is on lot of folks’ minds, especially young engineers. The Minister’s noted big gains that could be achieved...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Housing.

I appreciated his Minister’s statement on the EnerGuide 80 Program — very progressive. The one thing I noticed is that it’s actually for implementation in 2010. Everybody knows a dollar saved is a dollar earned. The same goes for greenhouse gas submissions. Why can’t we get going and get some of this implemented this coming year?