Joe Handley

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are a number of options to look at. One of them would be to switch over and begin to produce power and so on with diesel. Another one would be to just simply switch to propane and if we believe gas is coming through the pipeline anyway and it’s going to be a matter of five or six years, then it’s much less expensive to switch the units over to propane and use propane for a few years and if natural gas is available, go back to natural gas rather than go to the expensive route of diesel. Mr. Speaker, a consultant has been hired. Our people are looking at it. We...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let me say again, in terms of power, the Power Corporation has an agreement with Imperial to supply energy for power until 2010. When it comes to homes, then Imperial will no longer provide gas to the domestic users after April 2008. The town has advised us that they have hired a consultant who will be taking a look at the options. Our departments are looking at this situation. As soon as we have information together, we have committed to meeting with the town and, at that point, we will determine which operation is the best to put forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The appropriate government departments are already discussing this within our government along with the Power Corporation. It’s not as urgent with the Power Corporation because we do have a purchase agreement up to 2010 that’s firm, but we still have to look further ahead down the road. Mr. Speaker, I can assure the Member and this House that we are taking this seriously; we are collecting information and at the appropriate time, once we have our information, then we want to meet both with Imperial Oil and also with the Town of Norman Wells. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think the deadline Imperial gave us, of course, is determined by the amount of gas that’s there. We know the Norman Wells field is a field that is gradually being depleted. That’s the challenge with fossil fuels, is that at some point they run out. So, Mr. Speaker, we will be asking Esso for more information on why it’s necessary to cut back on the supply to the town. My understanding is that they are providing fuel to the Power Corporation. However, Mr. Speaker, the alternatives are complex. We need to get more information and I’m sure that the denouement of this...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If the Government of Canada would just turn their one-third share over to us, it would be much easier to resolve this. But, Mr. Speaker, I can’t speak for the federal government and where they are on their share. I expect that Imperial is the operating partner and the majority partner, so they are calling the shots. Mr. Speaker, I will be getting more information on this one. We will be talking with Imperial on it; we will hear what they have to say and at that time decide when, where and how we should meet with the Town of Norman Wells. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Certainly, we want to meet with the town. I understand the town has hired a consultant. I understand our Department of Municipal and Community Affairs has been dealing with other departments in our government to figure out what’s the best solution for this problem we could face in April 2008. Mr. Speaker, in terms of Imperial Oil’s involvement, yes, we will let them know. I will raise this with them when I have opportunity and we will insist that they come and provide an explanation. I assume, Mr. Speaker, that they’ve already planned to do that in Norman Wells...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to recognize all the Status of Women delegation and particularly my wife, Theresa. She’s not the boss's wife; she is the boss.

---Laughter

But without her support it would be very difficult to do my job and I appreciate that. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m sure there are many people who would like to have their rent lowered. Mr. Speaker, the current arrangement we have is that housing units are based on market value. So a rent is set depending on the condition, the age, the size and so on, of the house. That’s how we determine what that house is worth to rent. It’s the same way one would have if you were to rent a house in Yellowknife or Edmonton or wherever it may be. Individuals are asked to pay up to 30 percent of their gross income as rent. If you went to a bank, they would ask you for 32 percent. So we’re...

Mr. Speaker, as this Legislative Assembly is in the final year of its mandate with an election scheduled for this fall, it seems like an appropriate time to take stock of our work to date. In particular, I want to speak about some of the major initiatives we have moved forward over the past year and those that will be the focus of our work for the remainder of our mandate.

I want to congratulate all students from the Northwest Territories who have or will be graduating from high school and post-secondary school programs this spring and summer. The education of our youth remains one of the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, as I say, the Bridge Corporation will be signing the agreement. They have undertaken to complete the agreements within a month, or by early June. Mr. Speaker, if we have the information that can be shared with the Members, then certainly we will do that. There is nothing secret in here other than the confidentiality by the partners in the agreement. Mr. Speaker, I must say I appreciate the Member’s support for the project. We will make it a project that is good. Mr. Speaker, if I might say, as well, there is P3 money in the federal budget for this year and...