Debates of October 29, 2004 (day 31)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise again with questions to the Minister responsible for FMBS with regard to my Member’s statement today as well as my Member’s statement yesterday that was made with regards to my concerns of the consumption of fuels and power with the Northwest Territories government. Mr. Speaker, I would like to hear today in the context of reasonability, what is this government doing to monitor fuel and power consumption of our government assets; that would be buildings, cars, etcetera? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Minister responsible for FMBS, Mr. Roland.

Return To Question 338-15(3): Government Consumption Of Fuels And Power

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I stated in response to the Member’s questions, overall, each government department has a different role to play. One is to look at their own assets and see if they are making proper use of them. As well, we do have a number of programs that are out there to help support individuals with the impact of the high cost of power, as well as the Seniors' Fuel Subsidy Program. So, Mr. Speaker, there are a number of things that go on, but I could not give the Member a specific example, for example, the Department of Health may be doing around its consumption of heating fuels. There have been initiatives undertaken to try and lower the cost of O and M. As I stated yesterday, through the normal budgetary exercise, as departments come forward, when they come forward for items around forced growth, we send it back to them and ask for further substantiation on some initiatives that are out there and try to ensure that they are making the best use of the resources that are provided to them. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I won’t go to the length of yesterday’s transcripts, but I will refer to pages 2380, 2381, 2382, and 2383. I will just paraphrase to put it all together. The Minister spoke about departments consulting with RWED, the Department of Housing. He talked about on an annual basis. Some of these problems we can’t build into a budget exercise, anticipated costs, operational things are being done. We realize that there are going to be some impacts, but to mitigate them, we have to work forward at the time with real bills. Mr. Speaker, I am basically talking about the fact that we could be doing things. Yesterday I said let’s be proactive. Let’s get a directive from this department, from this Minister, about turning down the lights. These are things we can do. Engage the Arctic Energy Alliance and say come up with a five-point plan. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. I didn’t hear a question there, Mr. Hawkins. Do you want to rephrase that and ask a question? Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 338-15(3): Government Consumption Of Fuels And Power

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Could this government engage the Arctic Energy Alliance in getting something like a five-point plan on simple steps we can do, because we need to personalize this problem? We need to pitch in.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Premier, Mr. Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That is a question I believe should be more appropriately directed to the Minister of RWED. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 338-15(3): Government Consumption Of Fuels And Power

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think the Member is referring specifically to our ability to reject the costs that it will have internally for our own GNWT assets. We do have a program that the Minister of Finance referred to yesterday, the Energy Conservation Program. This program does provide financial assistance to territorial and community-funded departments, boards, agencies, non-profits, to undertake capital projects that will result in long-term reductions in the usage of electricity, heat, energy, water, et cetera. I think it is a very good program. There are a number of examples that have been funded and are usually funded in partnership.

The organization has to come forward with some equity as well, but in the areas of lighting, space heating, ventilation, and issues to deal with building envelope, the servicing of water, electrical systems, I think there have been many good initiatives. The goal here is to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and to make sure we are doing things as efficiently as we possibly can. I think the Member has already indicated that we have a very difficult time projecting what the cost of fuel will be. One thing we know for sure is if we can lessen our reliance on it, Mr. Speaker, we are in better shape, and we are aiming to do that. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 338-15(3): Government Consumption Of Fuels And Power

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If all three Ministers are going to be dealing with this, maybe I will send my next question to the Premier. Mr. Speaker, I am not sure if we just continue to direct it to the Minister of Finance or what. I look for direction, but I will direct it to the Minister of Finance and allow you to redirect it as appropriate. Mr. Speaker, we need to tighten our belts. That doesn’t cost money. Mr. Speaker, it has been mentioned that we use the Arctic Energy Alliance and we have been. We fund them through our programs. We can do this. I am not talking about expensive renovations, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister of FMBS direct all departments to use Arctic Energy Alliance solutions to solve some of these crises? We can tighten our belts. It doesn’t cost thousands of dollars; it costs just a little time and effort. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 338-15(3): Government Consumption Of Fuels And Power

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the support for the Arctic Energy Alliance. I think the Member makes a very good point. This is something that is funded by a couple of government departments and by the Power Corporation. I think there has been a lot of good work over the years and a lot of merit in continuing to work with this organization to find solutions, especially in the case of this organization, primarily on demand side issues. As a government, we recognize that we do need an energy plan, both for supply side and demand side issues. We will be moving that agenda forward.

I think the Arctic Energy Alliance can play a key role in this regard. We certainly look forward to the advice of the GED committee on issues that relate to energy and this conservation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Supplementary To Question 338-15(3): Government Consumption Of Fuels And Power

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, what is the plan to deal with these increasing power bills and oil bills? Is it just to pay after the fact, or is there any plan to mitigate that potential significant bill that will be increased this year? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 338-15(3): Government Consumption Of Fuels And Power

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think the Member knows, from the discussion at committee, that the Power Corporation, for instance, has been working on issues related to hydro development and other renewable sources of energy. This is around the theme of trying to lessen our reliance on fossil fuels. In some regard, we are hostage in the short term to the crisis of oil. There is not a lot we can do in the very short run to lessen that reliance. I think, as the Member heard yesterday, the Finance Minister has sent out a directive to departments to come forward to make sure that they update the projections because of the cost of oil which is very volatile, but to do their best to come forward with some understanding of the impact that this will have. We will have that discussion in Cabinet. We saw recently $55 a barrel for oil. It has come back a little bit to $50. It dropped some $2 a barrel yesterday with the announcement on something that seems as fickle to us as an indication from China that they will be raising interest rates going forward to cool off their economy somewhat. I think this speaks to how interlinked and interwoven these issues are on a global basis. It’s very difficult for us to influence the price of a barrel of oil but, as I’ve indicated earlier, we can do as much as possible to lessen our reliance. Thank you.