SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Hay River South MLA Jane Groenewegen said she wanted the premier's commitment the territorial government would continue to explore the possibility of providing cheaper power to Avalon Rare Earth Mineral's proposed processing plant at Pine Point.

She was upset after reading comments Lew Voytilla, chair of the Northwest Territories Power Corporation, made in last week's News/North.

"At the end of the day, they aren't going to get cheaper power than everybody else in that regulated system," Voytilla said, referring to the area in the South Slave served by the Taltson River hydroelectric system.

Groenewegen said his comments could have compromised negotiations about trying to find affordable power for Avalon.

"What advantage is there of the Power Corporation coming out and essentially cutting this negotiation off at the pass," she said. "We were just embarking on this," she said.

Premier Floyd Roland said discussions were ongoing.

"We're interested, as we have been with any secondary industry potential that we have in the NWT," he said. "We're the shareholder. We're negotiating, we're undergoing these discussions and ultimately we'll set the direction of where we want to go as the GNWT."

Park plans for the Big Eddy

If the territorial government wants to focus on tourism, Tu Nedhe MLA Tom Beaulieu says they should consider creating more territorial parks.

He wants one designated on the Slave River, at the camping area known as the Big Eddy.

"It will provide for immediate and long-term job opportunities for residents, and will also mean more money for the community businesses from visiting tourism and also some short-term employment during construction," he said.

Beaulieu said it could also provide boating and fishing opportunities for people in Fort Resolution.

Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment Bob McLeod said meetings are in the works and should be happening soon.

MLA still wants Wrigley nurse

With the return of an RCMP detachment to Wrigley in 2011, Kevin Menicoche, Nahende MLA, said he thought that would mean a nurse would be put in the community again.

He initially thought there was money allocated for a nurse in Wrigley in the 2010 budget and wants the minister to commit to dedicating one to the community.

"Can the Minister tell me why did we go through six years of establishing policing when, in fact, they will not follow up on the original commitment to the community of Wrigley and to myself?" Menicoche said.

Minister of Health and Social Services Sandy Lee said four nurses already serve Wrigley, Trout Lake, Nahanni Butte, and Jean Marie River.

"They would like to have a live-in service, but that's not always possible everywhere," she said. Lee said the Dehcho Health and Social Services Authority has 40 per cent fewer nurses than they'd like to and said the authority is working on improving nursing in the communities, including Wrigley.