Bob McLeod

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Using the Member’s example, not only did we give it a new paint job; we added a new fuel efficient engine with some new tires.

The BDF has been one of our best and most successful vehicles to assist small business. The new SEED policy…. We didn’t establish targets, because we needed to provide funding on an application basis to different regions. We will continue to measure it based on jobs that are created and the number of businesses that are started up.

I wish to table the following document entitled Energy Priorities Framework, Ministerial Energy Coordinating Committee.

Document 95-16(2), Energy Priorities Framework, Ministerial Energy Coordinating Committee, tabled.

Mr. Speaker, our government’s new Support to Entrepreneurs and Economic Development Policy officially took effect on September 2, 2008. This policy, which is known as the SEED policy, was developed in response to a major review of the department’s business programs completed in 2006.

One of the key themes that emerged from our review was that GNWT business programs should provide a chance for growth, employment and self-sufficiency to a wider scope of businesses outside of the Northwest Territories’ major centres.

We heard that our programs should focus on the needs of our clients, work more...

Mr. Speaker, I’d like to recognize Ms. Ruby Trudel, a Yellowknife South constituent. Nice to see you here.

Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time this afternoon, as the Chair of the Ministerial Energy Coordinating Committee, I will table this government’s Energy Priorities Framework.

This document outlines the priority actions that we need to undertake to address our short and long term energy needs. Our initiatives are presented in five key action areas as set out in the 2007 NWT Energy Plan:

energy conservation and efficiency;

alternative energy and emerging technologies;

energy development and supply;

energy policy and planning; and

reducing the Government of the Northwest Territories’ own energy use.

He...

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize Warren McLeod and Jerry Jaud, principals of FSC Architects and Engineers, one of Canada’s top 100 employers.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I congratulate the management of FSC Architects and Engineers for being named as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers.

This architecture and engineering company, proven leaders and innovators in cold climate and remote location building, are now also proven leaders in employment. Committed to providing top level service to their clients, FSC owners concluded that this same service should be provided to their most important company assets: their staff. Management has worked hard to ensure that their staff has benefits that meet or exceed industry...

We recognize that the high cost of energy is one that is going to affect all of the people of the Northwest Territories. We will be rolling out a very extensive program that is currently under development. Any of these kinds of suggestions will be undertaken.

I can add that the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation is looking at those kinds of suggestions as to how we can help people who can’t afford to buy wood stoves but would like to utilize them. We are taking all of these into consideration as we go forward. We’ll be bringing them forward as part of the business planning process...

We do have a number of initiatives underway. The primary one is the Energy Efficiency Incentive program, and that’s part of a program we had last year.

This year we’ve revised the program substantially. We’re focusing on home heating. We have a number of initiatives there. One is that we’re providing a rebate for purchase of wood stoves, because the use of wood stoves is one of the easiest ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We also have rebates for wood pellet heating appliances and for high efficiency oil furnaces.

Also, in the communities that are in the Member’s riding fuel is disbursed...

Mr. Speaker, I too would like to recognize a constituent of mine, Mr. Everett McQueen, and his two daughters, Wynter and Montana. I can’t tell who is who because they’re twins, but it’s nice to see them here.