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INUVIK -The NWT Association of Communities (NWTAC) kicked off its biggest annual general meeting Thursday in Inuvik, with skyrocketing electricity rates and a ballooning infrastructure deficit topping its agenda.

Representatives from 22 communities across the NWT attended the four-day event, from May 21 to 24.

Gordon Van Tighem, the association's president, said he was anticipating the discussion on the GNWT's recently completed electricity review.

"It will be an interesting discussion," said Van Tighem. "They have to be lowered. That's the overall recommendation.

"The GNWT has to take more of a controlled position on providing clear direction. It needs to look at efficiency, thinking of ways to produce electricity at a lower rate."

A rising infrastructure deficit is another major problem facing territorial communities, which, he said, amounts to more than $400 million. Despite the success NWTAC has had in lobbying the federal government for more money through programs such as its gas tax initiative, Van Tighem said more cash is still needed.

"If you go to every community, you're going to find an aging water pump or you're going to find a building that hasn't been retrofitted, you're going to find a road that's collapsed. The money isn't there to fix the problems."

Dennis Bevington, Western Arctic MP and past NWTAC president, attended as a delegate and said he was hoping the event will result in a more unified approach to sustainable communities and renewable resource development.

"I'm concerned about the communities getting their share of infrastructure funding and being sustainable," he said.

"But I also want to see a movement towards development of renewable energy. We need to make sure our municipalities are thinking about that as well."