Bob McLeod

As we move forward with our energy strategy, this is something that maybe the Member wants to bring forward in our community consultation. As the Members of this House all know, the mines are all under a lot of pressure on how to do business in a profitable manner and they continue to look for innovative ways of how to produce power in a cost-effective manner that makes them a profitable business in the Northwest Territories. If the Member would like to bring that initiative forward in one of our community consultations on energy strategy moving forward, I'd be pleased to have that as input.

We've had discussions with the federal government. The federal government has contributed $250,000 for us to hold consultations with regards to developing an energy strategy and a climate change strategy for the Northwest Territories.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m looking forward to receiving a proposal from the Gwich'in Tribal Council. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

As people in the southern parts of Canada are wont to do, the Mining Association of Canada without any consultation went ahead and put forward their position on climate change. We understand that that’s not necessarily shared by the local Chamber of Mines. We are setting up meetings with them so that we will have very specific industry input and if we do our consultations.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Our officials have been having discussions with federal officials. We have no details as to those specifics. I expect we will have more information when the federal budget comes out later this spring. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I am very much looking forward to the proposal. I am not exactly clear whether this is a private sector initiative or it is something for government. At any rate, we have a team of people from the Departments of ENR and Public Works working on public engagement and the development of strategies that align with our longterm objectives. These teams include senior officials of the Government of the Northwest Territories.

The Government of the Northwest Territories has a responsibility to lead the development of an energy strategy and a climate change framework, and that is what we intend to do. We...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will take it under advisement.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I said, our officials have had discussions with federal officials and the indications are that funding that will be used for climate change and to introduce carbon pricing will be in the federal budget that will be coming out sooner. Specifically to the $50 million fund, I'd be pleased to get more information for the Member on that.

The Government of the Northwest Territories is in the process of engaging with energy stakeholders as part of the development of the climate change framework and energy strategy. To date, we have held meetings in Nunavut, Norman Wells, Fort Smith, Yellowknife, and Fort Simpson. Next week, we will hold a session in Hay River. We have an upcoming workshop session in Behchoko. We have received submissions from Alternatives North and other energy consulting businesses and are considering those perspectives. We welcome the opportunity to hear from all interested parties and will work to integrate...

Mr. Speaker, we are continuing with our consultations and we expect that will be completed by the end of March. We have committed to working with the Standing Committee on the Economy and the Environment, so I expect that it will be the fall. The federal has indicated that carbon tax or carbon pricing will be imposed in 2018. Our expectation is that we’ll have our strategies completed well before that.