Michael Miltenberger

I concur with the Member. Thank you.

Both of those initiatives I talked about will be put through a process where the documents will be prepared and put out for discussion, initially, and feedback. We’ll be working with committees, of course, and we’ll be looking for that feedback in a timely way, making sure that we link all the different initiatives that we do have in regard to the renewal, and I would assume expansion and enhancement of the Greenhouse Gas Strategy so that it looks outside of the internal look at government. Thank you.

Thank you. I committed to the Member for Yellowknife Centre that we’d look at this and the timeline he suggested we agreed to, which is this coming fall to have something that would lay out and put a frame around this issue. I’d also point out that if we’re going to be spending that many thousands of dollars to replace a tank to keep a boiler going and then the boiler goes but you’ve bought this brand new $4,000 tank so you spend another $10,000 to replace the boiler, that we’ll be in a cycle that we’ll never get out of. We’re going to have to look at the cost comparison across the type of...

Mr. Speaker, I will discuss this issue with the departmental officials and we will be able to have a position paper on what we think is possible, if anything, and the issue of options if there is a plan to proceed. But I will commit by this fall that we will have something on this item. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, we have committed, as a government, $60 million to look at alternative energy. We have worked with communities. We have worked with individuals to put out notices to make sure people check their tanks, make sure they check the fittings so they are not leaking, check the age, and make sure they are located properly. We are focusing all of our attention on moving to alternate energy. This type of rebate program could possibly be considered, but it wouldn’t strike me as an alternative energy initiative. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, as well, would like to take this opportunity to first recognize and thank all the inductees for all the work they’ve done, those that are with us and those that are not, and all the people that are here with them. But specifically, I’d like to acknowledge and recognize my wife, Jeri; Vicky Ruben, the wife of Jerry Ruben who was just inducted into the Hall of Fame today; his lovely daughter Ashley Ruben; my baby brother Jean-Marc; and Brent Kaulback and his wife, Marilyn, from Fort Smith. Thank you for coming.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The information and knowledge that is gained is going to come within a framework that we have for our research agenda where we insist on access and where appropriate ownership or where appropriate a shared ownership of the knowledge and information so that we can put it to full use. There will be scientific information that Wilfred Laurier will be putting to use, as well, as they look at how that fits into all the other scientific work that they are doing for us. We will have full and appropriate access to all the knowledge and information and scientific information...

I’ll commit to get that information for committee.

We see this is a significant economic opportunity in the Northwest Territories. We’re spending millions of dollars building the market with our own buildings and facilities, as well as encouraging private individuals to convert. We support the whole issue of partnerships with the private sector and aboriginal governments as a way forward. The other issue, of course, is the size of the plant and the current volume that’s necessary or that’s available to justify the expense. Indications are that a plant that size is bigger considerably than we would need in the foreseeable future. But there are...

Mr. Chairman, I will just reiterate the commitment to provide that information to committee.