Mr. Speaker, my question to the Premier is in regard to his statement in regard to the Western Premiers’ Conference he just attended. There were a few issues in there in regard to the conference itself, but more importantly, there was lot of discussion around energy — looking at ways of bringing down energy and looking at alternative energies that are out there. I’d like to ask the Premier: exactly what type of responses did we get? Are those responses going to be put by way of ideas and sent to the federal government, to ask them for certain funding? You talk about hydro; you talk about wind energy; you talk about other initiatives. I’d like to ask the Premier: what’s the next step in regard to these issues that were discussed at the western Premiers’ meeting? Where do they go next? Also, when can we see some results on those discussions?
Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The Hon. Premier, Mr. Roland.
Mr. Speaker, the Western Premiers’ Conference, as I was saying earlier, is one that I felt went very well for the Northwest Territories. To have our issues part of the communications package that went out from that meeting across Canada does a number of things. It raises our level of interest. It sends a message to the federal government. The next steps for us from the Western Premiers’ Conference would be on issues that we feel would be encouraged by further bringing them to the Council of the Federation — that is, all the Premiers across the country — and then coming up with a specific plan or actions that we would go to the federal government.
A number of these initiatives are ongoing. The western Premiers themselves are setting up areas that they’re inviting other jurisdictions to become a part of their practice and join on to the work that’s being done. In our case, because we’re a small partner in this, we can join on some programs or we can work out an initiative that’s going to be supported by other provinces and Premiers as we go forward. For example, the wind energy piece: we know there’s technology there, but it’s been problematic in the North because of the cold winters and our climate. So here’s an avenue where they’ve come behind us to support us and look at initiatives that we may be able to become a part of.
Mr. Speaker, one thing I didn’t see in the Premier’s comment is the whole area around the trading of carbon tax. We know Ontario and Quebec are looking at something. With the global warming effects we have in the Northwest Territories, you’d think that issue would be top and centre for the Northwest Territories. I’d just like to ask the Premier: exactly where are we in regard to the carbon tax issue? Also, what is the position of the Northwest Territories?
There was much discussion amongst Premiers about the initiatives of other jurisdictions. Of course, the media was very interested in what was happening in B.C. as well as in Quebec and Alberta. I was asked as well about our stance on it, and I did inform them that we were preparing to go out to the public on a tax initiative process for review and then see what initiatives would come back to this House.
Mr. Speaker, also in regard to the Premier’s comments or statement he made in reference to the new west, I know that there’s an initiative going on where all the western Premiers are talking about going down to the States to lobby in different areas. I’m wondering: are we part of that delegation which would be going down to the United States to lobby in regard to the western Premiers?
Mr. Speaker, we are invited to be a part of that group that goes down there. Right now I believe it is only the western Premiers from southern Canada that are going down there. I’m not aware of the northern Premiers attending. For myself, I’ve had to look at the dates that would conflict with that. At this point the calendar hasn’t changed, so I would not be attending that, though the option was there for me to be there.
Time for question period has expired. However, I will allow the Member a final supplementary. Mr. Krutko.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to ask the Premier if he also had discussions in regard to the western climate change initiative, which includes western parts of the United States and Canada. I’d just like to ask the Premier: are we also part of the western climate change initiative?
We are a part of that. The Premier of British Columbia, Mr. Campbell, has initiated that work. It started off in January with the conference on climate change. Again, other jurisdictions are working with their leaders and coming up with initiatives and sharing some of the work that’s been done. For ourselves, from a territorial point of view working with other northern Premiers, coming up with our piece of that work, we are plugged into that process.
Thank you, Mr. Roland. Before we go on, colleagues, I’d like to draw your attention to the visitors’ gallery. A group of senior civil servants is visiting here to witness consensus government working. Welcome to the Legislative Assembly. I hope you’re enjoying your tour.
The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to return to Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery.
Unanimous consent granted.
Return to item 5 on the order paper, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.
