Bob McLeod

We are holding roundtables throughout the Northwest Territories. We have had very excellent feedback, and we are looking at all options. Certainly, we will do what is best for the people of the Northwest Territories.

The priorities that we pursue have not been determined, but they will be informed by our energy strategy and our climate change framework that we are developing. Certainly, we are pursuing funding from federal sources for various projects, including Taltson hydro initiatives, Inuvik wind projects, and projects to reduce the use of diesel fuel in Northwest Territories communities.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It would be helpful if the Member would provide who these organizers are and how much money they are looking for. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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.