Michael Miltenberger

Yes, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document entitled GNWT Response to Committee Report 2-16(4), Report of the Auditor General on Contracting for Goods and Services in the NWT. Thank you.

I remember very well making the case for the funds and the intent to do the things that I just talked about in terms of greenhouse gases, getting off fossil fuels, and to look at things we could do to help mitigate in the short term the cost of living in the small communities where one of the most prohibitive costs, especially when it comes with the food basket, is the price of electricity in the community stores. That’s always been on the table. We’re not trying to gild the lily. We’re not trying to misrepresent the intent. I appreciate the Member’s concern and it will be measured and...

Initially this money was targeted $3 million a year over three years to go into some type of commercial subsidy. It’s reflected here because that’s how it was initially intended. Part of the work that’s being done as a result of our focus on energy and shifting how we do business and trying to come up with the best and fairest system is the work on the electrical rate review. In May we’ll know, once we have the debate and discussion about what that final response will look like, what’s going to happen with the commercial subsidy and if it’s going to exist. If it doesn’t, that decision, I...

No, the existing commercial Power Support Program is not very well subscribed to, given its structure and complexity. It’s considered too onerous. We haven’t added that money to be used, nor have we changed that program. So the money is reflected here just because it was initially targeted for some support to the commercial subsidy.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We anticipate that with the institution of the levy, that there’s going to be a significant drop-off in the use of plastic bags, but any funds that are collected will go into the Environment Fund with ENR and will be put towards other good work that needs to be done.

I appreciate the Member’s comment as it pertains to sunsets or potential sunsets and any action or response from the federal government in terms of continuing on some of the health programs. We’re going to be, of course, monitoring that. We’re not going to know that until the federal budget comes out in early March. We’re already doing some initial planning, as the Members are aware, to try to accommodate the worst-case scenario, which would be that the sunset holds and there is no further funding. However, we will keep the Members apprised as often as we have to going forward with the various...

Mr. Chairman, I move that we report progress.

---Carried

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document entitled Supplementary Appropriation (Infrastructure Expenditures) No. 4, 2009-2010.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. To my left, Mr. Peter Vician, deputy minister of ITI, and to my right, Ms. Nancy Magrum, director of shared services with ITI and ENR.