Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As we embark on what appears to be another fact-finding Energy Charrette, the second one in as little as two years, the residents of NWT are again waiting for real, affordable solutions to lower their energy costs. With the cost of living the hallmark of concern, many believe this Energy Charrette will be added to a long list of productions already archived on dusty shelves. With very little given to the public or Members as to its mandate, I will have questions today for the man of the hour, the Premier of the Northwest Territories.
As mentioned, we are about to embark on what is about to be our second Energy Charrette in less than two years. Can the Premier clearly articulate what is the specific mandate for this upcoming charrette? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. Honourable Premier, Mr. McLeod.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As we’ve said several times, the Energy Charrette is to move us away from transmission to generation and dealing with the potential of having to live with low water going forward. So we expect to see the outcomes that will show us how to go forward in terms of empowering energy users, so that we can help find a way to become more independent in power generation and also to find cheaper ways of producing power. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I appreciate the Premier’s response. Can the Premier indicate what the budget is for holding this upcoming charrette?
We are still in the process of finalizing attendance and we’ll give him the proper accounting in due course. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
It does sound like we have a bit of a murky mandate from transmission to generation. I didn’t quite clearly hear exactly what the intent is and we haven’t really heard a budget, but I can tell you, Mr. Speaker, I believe the last charrette did cost taxpayers about $100,000.
So, to be clear, can the Premier indicate if it’s the intent of this charrette to look at long-term solutions or short-term solutions? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
We are looking at both, Mr. Speaker. Short-term, what can we do in terms of conservation and so-called low-hanging fruit and also the longer term approach to power generation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Final, short supplementary, Mr. Dolynny.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Less than a year ago, this government tabled the report the Northwest Territories Energy Action Plan – I have it right here – a three-year action plan and long-term vision. Mr. Speaker, I can assume we have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars preparing this, which really was supposed to be the blueprint and the hallmark of our energy concerns.
Can the Premier indicate to the House what do we do with this piece of equipment now? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
That’s still a very good and important document. We will spend the money that we’ve outlined in that document over the next three years and I think it will benefit us all. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.
