Shauna Morgan

Mr. Speaker, I know we're running out of time here, so I'll just ask a quick supplementary for now, and this should have a quick answer too. So okay, so for the past year, the GNWT has been doing public consultations around revisiting its 2030 Energy Plan, and I believe that the public engagement portion is complete and a What We Heard document has been yeah, so will the can the government share the What We Heard document with Members, ideally in advance of our priority settings, so we get much clearer insight into how the public and Indigenous governments are wanting us to chart our energy...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So these questions are for the Minister of Infrastructure. In contrast to the perception that there are no alternatives in the Northwest Territories to heating oil or heating with fossil fuels, can you give us some highlights or insights on the steps the GNWT has already taken and is taking to help residents or businesses either use less heating fuel or switch to renewable alternatives for heating, including in public housing units? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So my first set of questions are for the Minister of Finance, and if there's time after, I have additional questions for the Minister of Infrastructure.

So currently the net carbon tax revenues after we hand out the offset payments, they go into the GNWT's general revenues, and this could be 14 to $20 million per year but the public cannot see how these revenues are contributing to climate change solutions. So will this government commit to ensure that all net carbon tax revenues go towards climate change mitigation and adaptation programs in the NWT with transparent...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, that the following Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Procedures and Privileges:

The Member for Frame Lake, Julian Morse;

The Member for Great Slave, Kate Reid;

The Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Denny Rodgers;

The Member for Range Lake, Kieron Testart; and,

The Member for Hay River South, the Honourable Vince McKay.

AND FURTHER that the following Members be appointed as alternate Members:

The Member for Yellowknife North, Shauna Morgan; and,

The Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, the Honourable Lesa...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Friday, February 9th, 2024, I will move the following motion:

I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Hay River North, that notwithstanding Rule 2.1, when this House adjourns on Friday, February 9th, 2024, it shall be adjourned until Tuesday, February 20th, 2024.

And further, that any time prior to February 20th, 2024, if the Speaker is satisfied after consultation with the Executive Council and Members of the Legislative Assembly that the public interest requires that the House should meet at an earlier time during the adjournment, the...

That's okay. I feel like I could delve much more but I know we're running out of time. So I just appreciate the Minister's commitment to make that special consideration for the benefit of all of us. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wonder if the Minister could also explain steps that the GNWT's taking to facilitate more district biomass heating systems. So that's for larger buildings often that are close together, systems that link one big heating system and heat multiple large buildings, and that could include partnerships with the city of Yellowknife, the federal government, or industry or business partners.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So just one followup here: So I know that we've consistently heard from the government that it's not a good idea to have a specific revolving fund but I've also we've also heard from the public that there's demand for that kind of transparency.

Can the Minister explain if there are specific technical barriers or legislative barriers to instituting such a revolving fund which would provide greater transparency and understanding for the public as to how we're investing in climate change alternatives?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I want to talk about the carbon tax because I fear that much of the discussion in the media is missing the point. Many of my constituents have come to me with their alarm and disappointment that the message they hear coming from this government's leaders is that carbon pricing hurts people because there are no economically viable alternatives to fossil fuels in the NWT so let's scrap the tax. The important message that's being lost, however, is that climate change hurts people, that climate change costs us dearly, and diesel and heating oil have many downsides...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to deal with the motion I gave notice of earlier today regarding appointments to the Standing Committee on Procedures and Privileges.