I am sorry that I didn’t hear you for the loud applause.
In my short time here as MLA, we’ve talked much about energy, the environment and climate change. It is accepted that as human beings, we are hurting our house — our planet. Some say that we are destroying it.
It is also accepted that we can take actions to reduce the hurt. Members have discussed many of these actions: building codes and standards, reducing energy consumption, less hurtful energy sources, water conservation to name just a few. I sense a willingness on the part of this government to take action, but I see no indication of any comprehensive plan.
I know; I know: “It is early yet; we’re developing the budget and so on and so on.” But as this government prepares the 2008-2009 budget, it is a necessity that energy savings and sustainability be a cornerstone of the document.
We need to take a page from the book of the city of Yellowknife, which has just been named a number one city, by the way. It has taken a few years, but the city of Yellowknife has committed to energy planning and action. Currently some $500,000 is earmarked for activities related to the energy plan.
We need to follow their excellent example, Mr. Speaker. Not only do we need a coordinated energy plan for the government of the N.W.T. that covers all aspects of energy, climate change and environmental protection, but we need an energy coordinator to implement and manage the plan.
Taking this bold step is not something we have to do on our own. There are many N.W.T. organizations and individuals out there who are willing to assist in the development of a plan.
We must establish a working committee and an energy and sustainability planning committee with public representation from industry and interested individuals and organizations. I believe the Arctic Energy Alliance is one such organization which can provide excellent advice and support for such a planning committee.
This is a long-term strategy, but we must include it in our first budget in order to reap any kind of rewards in the life of this Assembly. We can guarantee financial savings by being proactive. We can guarantee environmental savings through being proactive. The time to act is now.
