Thank you, Minister. Mr. O'Reilly.
Thanks, Mr. Chair. So I'm glad to hear that the departments or department, whatever, is getting some feedback on Arctic Energy Alliance. That's great, but it sounds like this is Aurora College all over again, where we're making a bunch of cuts to programs without having a strategy in place. Is that the case here? Thanks, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. Minister Schumann.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. These aren't cuts, these are sunsets. This was a one-time funding from the Low Water Initiative in the previous Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Minister Schumann. Mr. O'Reilly.
Thanks, Mr. Chair. So I understand from what the Minister said that these programs are being sunset. There's still a need for funding, and that's why the Regular MLAs have asked for additional funding for Arctic Energy Alliance. Unfortunately, we're not going to get it from the current position of Cabinet and the Minister, but there's obviously still a need for these programs.
Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. Minister Schumann.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. As I've stated, we have the Energy Strategy that's going around; they're feeding information back to the department, not just on climate change and carbon tax but also Arctic Energy Alliance. We've committed that we want to do a review of Arctic Energy Alliance. As I said, some programs have fulfilled themselves and been quite successful. Things like the condo one that the Member has brought up, it's been actually moved to another line item there where people can still access that. If his particular neighbour is interested in doing something there, there is actually money left in this year's budget if they wanted to get on it right away to access that fund, but other condo people can still apply under a different section. We want to do a review of this and make sure that we are spending our money wisely and into programs and services that will benefit residents in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Minister Schumann. Mr. O'Reilly.
Thanks, Mr. Chair. I'm not going to debate any further the need for more money for Arctic Energy Alliance, but I had one other question: what is our government doing about net metering? This is not the first time I've asked this question, and there's a number of people I know in Yellowknife who have put in renewable energy into their own homes and they're looking for a better break when it comes to net metering. So what is the department doing about net metering? Thanks, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. Mr. Guy.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. So currently there is an approved net metering policy in place through the Public Utility Board where residents can net meter, I believe it's up to 5,000 Watts, 5 kilowatts, available in Yellowknife, and also in any other thermal communities.
Part of the Energy Strategy, we did hold regulatory and utilities workshop with the regulator and the other utilities, and that was one of the things that was discussed at that workshop, and that will feed in to the work that we're going to be consolidating in the Energy Strategy and hopefully updating the net metering policy based on the feedback we've gotten from the regulator and the utilities. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Mr. Guy. Mr. O'Reilly.
Thanks, Mr. Chair. So I'm glad to hear that. The problem with the current policy is you get to accumulate credits but if you don't use them up by April 1st they're gone, and that's not the kind of net metering system we should have in place if we want to promote household energy self-sufficiency. So that policy has got to be changed. Thanks, Mr. Chair. I don't have anything further.
Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. Minister Schumann.
Mr. Chair, thank you for that. I appreciate the Member bringing it up. That is one of the things that was identified, and we are having a look at that. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Minister Schumann. Next, we have Mr. McNeely.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. My question is on page 236. On the NWT generator efficiency allowance, there is $300,000. As I read the explanation on the back, I am just wondering: why is PWS budgeting $300,000 for the Power Corporation when maybe the Power Corporation could sustain their own? So maybe a little explanation on that allowance? Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Mr. McNeely. Mr. Guy.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I will have to confirm it, but I believe that is the investment that we have in Aklavik for the variablespeed drive on the solar power plant project that the Power Corporation has. This is an energy efficiency element to that project, and it is incremental to the cost associated with the generation, so it is essentially a subsidy to keep power rates the same for the energy efficiency project, similar to what we have done on similar other projects where we have solar, in places like Wrigley or Fort Simpson, for example. The energy policy that we have is that the power corporation will not increase rates for renewables, that portion. Particularly when it is an R and D type project like this, it is generally funded by the government or the shareholder. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Mr. Guy. Mr. McNeely.
Yes, I am satisfied with the response. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Mr. McNeely. Mr. Thompson.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. On page 234, we talk about wood stove purchases. Was this part of the low-rising money, or was this another thing that was sunsetted? Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Mr. Guy.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. That is, again, one of those projects that we boosted up or enhanced through the Low Water funding, so we had a targeted program for wood stoves in specific communities. The wood stove program is still available through biomass. It is another form of biomass, so folks who want to do wood stove replacements or upgrades can apply to the Arctic Energy Alliance through the biomass program. It is being promoted that way, as well. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Mr. Guy. Mr. Thompson.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I thank the deputy minister for that answer. It is actually good to hear. I have been talking to a lot of people, and they are talking about making their homes more energy efficient and trying to get wood stoves in place. It also helps with when we have power shortages or fuel running out, so that is great to hear.
In regard to the energy plan, is the department willing to look at coming back for a supplemental after they have investigated alternative energy, renewable energy sources out there? Is there the potential that, after they have come up with this plan, they could come back looking for a supplemental? Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Minister Schumann.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Once we have done our engagement on this, we would have to have a look at what we are doing. Then we would have to look, moving forward, what we were going to do. If we needed any extra money, we would have to probably have that discussion on our side of the House. If there was even money available to do it; it might be too early to tell. We have got to wait until we have finished the initiative. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Minister Schumann. Mr. Thompson.
Thank you, Mr. Chair, and I thank the Minister for his answer. When will they know when this energy plan or these consultations are going to be done? Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Minister Schumann.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I believe we are coming to give committee an update as early as next week and then, hopefully, in May/June looking forward. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Minister Schumann. Mr. Thompson.
Thank you, Mr. Chair, and I think the Minister was thinking, or the deputy minister was thinking or both of them were thinking, that that was my next question, so I thank them that they are going to make that commitment next week and look forward to that presentation as we move forward. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Any further questions? Mr. Vanthuyne.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Maybe not so much a question but just a comment at this point. I think some of the previous speakers have pointed out a little bit of what the concern I am going to raise, and that is: we are clearly a government that has mandated ourselves to make investment in energy and alternative energy. We recognize that we have a dire situation as it relates to our reliance on fossil fuels and diesel.
We are, time and time again, challenged with trying to find ways to get off that reliance, and so, if I am just to look at page 234 in the broader perspective, it is troubling to see that we have reduced or lost investment in energy commitments here to the tune of over a million dollars in the last two fiscal years.
Although some of these programs might be seen as sunsetted or you can get them, apply for them, through other NGOs or what have you, what we should be doing as a government is making sure that we are making constant, steady investment in this area because we know, once again, that this is an investment that has a much larger return on investment. So I think, I am hoping, that I am capturing my colleagues' general concern with regard to seeing these programs kind of go by the wayside.
There is never no opportunity that we can't find to make investments into alternative energy sources and alternative energy programs. It is a mission of ours to try to get our communities, in particular, off their reliance on fossil fuels. I mean, we could put a hundred wood stoves if not a thousand wood stoves into homes tomorrow; we could invest in more solar energy like we have in Colville and other areas tomorrow, so it is troubling to see this pot depleting over the last couple of years when we have made clear commitments to invest in alternative energy sources.
We have got a potential carbon tax coming down the pipe that is going to be another heavy weight for us to bear as residents of the Northwest Territories, for the cost of living. It is many of these little, small investments that we see here that make a big difference. It does not always have to be about trying to reinvent the wheel and the big picture. A lot of these small, little, tiny investments are the ones that actually go further, so I just share that comment so that the department and the Minister are aware. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Mr. Vanthuyne. Minister Schumann.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am going to sum up a little bit of everything that we are doing on this file. As we know, this is important to everybody in the Northwest Territories. It is a true fact of life that is coming down the pipe for the whole country.
First of all, we are working with the federal government on a number of initiatives. We have some people working directly to get remote communities off diesel fuel, which is important to all northern communities right across Canada. The Department of Finance is working with the carbon tax file. There are two things right off the bat.
When we were down in Ottawa, we were pushing all our renewable initiatives, the Taltson project, the windmill project, renewables file. That is another initiative, and we are waiting to see what the federal government gives us money for in the coming budget in the next couple of months.
The department also does a number of initiatives internally already that we hope address a number of these things. We are working on the capital refit program. We have the new construction where we apply all the new energy strategies and legislation to make them the most efficient new building construction. We work with ENR on the biomass file to push that forward for the residents of the Northwest Territories. There are a number of initiatives besides just this page.
As all Members know, I have said the reductions on this page is due to a sunset due to a one-time Low Water initiative that was put forward in the last Assembly. That is where we sit right now. The department is working very hard to address these issues. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Minister Schumann. Any further questions, committee? Seeing none, we will now return to page 233, programs and services, operations expenditure summary, total activity, $28,420,000. Mr. Vanthuyne.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I move that this committee defer further consideration of the activity programs and services, under the Department of Infrastructure, Main Estimates 2017-2018 on page 233 at this time. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Mr. Vanthuyne. The motion is on the floor and is being distributed. The motion is in order and is non-debatable.
Question
Question has been called. All those in favour. All those opposed. The motion is carried.
---Carried
We have deferred consideration of this activity. Committee will now proceed to the next activity, found on page 239. Regional operations, operations expenditure summary, total activity, $126,995,000. This includes activity distribution on page 238 and information items on page 240. Before returning to the departmental total -- Mr. Testart.
Thank you, committee. We will try this again. Regional operations, operation expenditure summary, total activity, $126,995,000. This includes activity description on page 238 and information items on page 240. Any questions? Mr. Thompson.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. In regard to the winter roads, you have heard my brief comments at the very beginning, the importance of helping the communities and especially Sambaa K'e with their winter road. Can the Minister please advise us what they have been doing to make sure this winter road is safe and efficient? Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Minister.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I need to know which road he is talking about. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Minister. Mr. Thompson.
