Kieron Testart

Can the Minister also explain if the Yellowknife rates are being used to subsidize rates in other rate zones throughout the NWT?

Mr. Speaker, one of the priorities set by the mandate of the 18th Assembly is to address our high cost of living. Affordability is the number one issue for Yellowknifers and it affects everything from power, to housing, to even job opportunities. Recently, claims have been made that Yellowknife consumers are possibly being overcharged for power, and frankly, Mr. Speaker, if this is true, I find that most egregious.

Northland Utilities has been driving this public discussion and has stated that the Northwest Territories Power Corporation is overcharging the residents of Yellowknife by setting...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My comments are similar to the previous two speakers. It's great to see a very healthy number here in capital spending. We talk about investment in our economy and our communities, making the North safer, creating real opportunities for business employment, infrastructure is a great way to go. This is a substantial investment in the Northwest Territories.

That being said, there are a number of issues with the long-term outlook of this investment. We've heard it before, that there will be more investment when time comes, and infrastructure investment is the best way to...

Mr. Speaker, we're currently subsidizing diesel communities in the thermal zones at the rate, the Yellowknife hydro rate, which as the Minister has confirmed is the highest rate. Why do we not use the lowest hydro rate, the Fort Smith rate, for these diesel subsidies, give a break to our smaller communities, and let them enjoy the benefits that the Minister enjoys back at home?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have questions for the Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation. In each hydro rate zone, which holds the highest rate for consumers? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Just to return to my first question, the Minister made a comment about overcharging by 115 per cent. The reality is it's a 100 per cent rate versus 114 per cent rate. So are Yellowknifers being charged 14 per cent more than other communities?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation explain if the corporation is, in fact, overcharging by 114 per cent for the costs of power delivered to Northland Utilities for resale in the Yellowknife market? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the legacy I want to leave for the Northwest Territories is one where we are no longer the weakest economy in Canada's North, one where we are no longer the second-worst when it comes to social ills in this country. I want a Northwest Territories that is stronger going forward into the future and can be a leader for Canada and the entire circumpolar world.

We created a mandate together to take us there and that mandate is the centre piece of this 18th Assembly. If we are going to fulfill that mandate, then we need to start investing in that mandate. One...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to ask the Finance Minister some questions. The Minister spoke about freeing up money to match federal investment. Yesterday, the Premier spoke about continuing to pursue, to support our strategic infrastructure corridors. Can we have some clarity on what kind of long-term projects we have for this $150 million? I think that's where the frustration comes from, Mr. Speaker, is that if we wait until the business plan cycle hits us, we have no idea where we're taking this government, and that's really what this conversation about the fiscal policy of this...

Mr. Speaker, will the Minister commit to enhancing those programs or indicate whether or not those programs will be enhanced in the near future or will they stay the same? I appreciate that the department does a lot of work in this area, but, at a time, as the Minister indicated, where capital markets are tight, we need this investment. Is the department going to put more money into these opportunities, or are we keeping things status quo? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.