Louis Sebert

Mr. Speaker, I will bring these concerns to the board, and work with them on a continuing basis so that we can improve the Power Corporation. We do wish to keep rates low. The rates, of course, are set by the Public Utilities Board, an independent arm completely separate from government. Northland Utilities and the Power Corporation are different corporations with different concerns. All I can say is that we are working to keep rates as low as possible, and I am in constant contact with members of the board. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The nature of this Crown corporation has changed over the years. Many of its activities, particularly in the area of energy conservation and the more experimental projects, are now shared with other departments. So a new board has been put in place and is looking at these types of issues of management as we move forward. It's a question of added value, Mr. Speaker. The old board was quite expensive. Keeping it in place would have led to a higher rate increase than the one that's anticipated. The new board of directors has a diverse education and background, and I am confident in them.

There are many options in these types of situations dealing with this mine or other possible mines, including liquefied natural gas. I am informed by my colleague from ITI that this department has, in fact, been in touch with TerraX.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Certainly, any new major project would likely put a strain on the current system, whether that is a new mine or an old mine. I don't have any new details as to the amount of power that might be required. A major increase in the amount of power used in the system would likely require some changes in the manner in which we deliver power. It may involve the building of additional plants or even dams. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, of course, we are looking at all these matters. As indicated in my response to one of the earlier questions, part of the concern of the board that is shared by the shareholder was that increase in rates be as moderate as possible. Had we kept the old board, there would have been a larger increase than the one that is anticipated. We are, however, looking at the whole corporate governance of the board, the future of the Power Corporation.

Mr. Speaker, I can advise that since 2016 the SAM, the Substance Abuse Management program, has been delivered in the various correctional facilities. Six deliveries of the SAM program have been delivered at the North Slave Correctional Complex and a seventh delivery was scheduled to begin in September 2017. There is also a similar program or identical program being offered at South Mackenzie, and two full deliveries have been completed in Fort Smith. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, that does seem like a very heavy caseload. What I can do is undertake to look into this matter. I have not been aware that there are any problems. It is possible that one person could provide all these functions, but I acknowledge that would certainly be an exceptional person. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

As I understand it, corrections officers are providing this service, and they have gone through the necessary training.

I understand that there are several different devices that might meet the standards. Public Safety Canada did announce in early September that they would be providing funding up to $161 million over five years for training front-line officers. It appears that there are several different devices that might or may be used, and the federal government clearly is prepared to foot the bill for pretty extensive training.

Yes, Mr. Speaker. Further research on this issue has revealed that the department continues to offer the GED to any NWT resident who wishes to take the program, wishes to study and take the examination. It is a set of standardized tests that, when passed, provides certification that the test taker has Canadian-level academic skills at the grade 9 to 10 level. It continues to be an academic option that is available to inmates at NSCC. Thank you.