Debates of May 31, 2006 (day 2)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I believe we have a real problem here and I think the ENR Minister can solve it by doing something today. My optimism tells me he’s got the leadership and wherewithal, so let’s settle it today by making a clear statement by supporting innovative programs out there. Mr. Speaker, we have real problems so we need real solutions. So where is the policy to support innovative programs for energy saving conservation investments in our Northwest Territories and in our people? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Minister responsible for Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. Miltenberger.

Return To Question 11-15(5): Support For Innovation In The NWT

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we provide substantive funding, along with other departments, to the Arctic Energy Alliance, who is our working arm in terms of energy conservation. This government, as well, has set up its own Energy Conservation Program to support initiatives, retrofitting, looking at new technologies and innovative ways to save energy. We’ve also combined, partnered up that money with money from the federal government. In this case, there has been assistance provided to the individual in question, money and technical support that is helping advance the work that he’s doing. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 11-15(5): Support For Innovation In The NWT

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I think the Minister hot potatoed that right over to the Arctic Energy Alliance. Maybe I am wasting my time asking ENR questions and I should march down to Arctic Energy Alliance about their support. But, Mr. Speaker, this is about a lack of policy. This is about a lack of programs. This is about the lack of attention about who’s in the driver’s seat about this problem because if the ENR Minister isn’t willing to do anything about this, I’m going to ask him who will. So, Mr. Speaker, where is the policy to set up support programs so local folks, the everyday average Joe, can get out there and say I’m going to put energy technology into my house and I’m going to tap into a support program from this government? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 11-15(5): Support For Innovation In The NWT

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, very clearly the leadership lies with the seven Members comprising of Cabinet, with myself and Mr. Bell who are tasked with bringing forward first the discussion on the White Paper on the Energy Strategy and we’ve committed to bringing forward the formal Energy Strategy by this coming fall, which will address that and many other issues and provide a framework, provide the direction and the policy base for us to move forward into this, as the Member has indicated, very important area. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 11-15(5): Support For Innovation In The NWT

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Now we’re starting to drill down to real answers and real responses. Thank you, Minister. Okay, so the fact is we’re now talking about an energy strategy. So recognizing the feds are cutting some of these energy dollars that go out to help real people and now that we’re down to the fact that we need the Energy and Natural Resources Minister to set up programs and policies, where are our policies to help these average people who are building houses who want to tap into energy smart technology? Where is the policy? Are we playing Where's Waldo here? Where is the policy? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 11-15(5): Support For Innovation In The NWT

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just laid out to the Member what the plan is. We’ve met with committee; a presentation has been done; we’re going to be releasing the White Paper on the Energy Strategy. We’re going to follow that up with a more formal document. In the meantime, there’s existing programs available through the Arctic Energy Alliance, some through the federal government, there’s been some technical support and those programs are currently on the books and operational pending the outcome of the discussions and feedback and consultation with the White Paper and the more formal actual document that’s going to be brought forward this fall. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Your final supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 11-15(5): Support For Innovation In The NWT

We’re still missing the results of the policy, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we’re still talking about the Energy Strategy. We’re talking about hot potatoeing it. Where is the leadership from this government that says energy policy, the policy that says we’ll do things smart, we’re setting up programs? We’re talking about a strategy, we’re throwing it away and saying go to the Arctic Energy Alliance, we’re saying we’re marrying many things, but yet at the end of the day where is the policy that says this government will set up programs to help the average Northwest Territories citizen? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 11-15(5): Support For Innovation In The NWT

Mr. Chairman, there’s been at least two…Sorry, Mr. Speaker. There’s been at least two briefings that I can recollect in recent weeks and months where we’ve laid out in considerable detail all the work that’s being done across government to look at energy conservation, alleviating the high cost of living, the impact of rising energy costs, what we’re doing as a government to make government more efficient, what we’re doing as a government to work with the communities and the individuals and businesses to assist them to make the necessary steps on the energy conservation side. That is all there. It’s been presented to committee. I can share it with the Member if he is having trouble locating that information and would be happy to do that. It would take up a lot of extra paper and a lot of extra energy, but we’re prepared to invest that because it is a big issue keeping the Member informed. Thank you.