Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to follow up on questions I started last week with the Minister of Public Works and Services on the Energy Efficiency Act and discussion paper. The other day the Minister outlined some of things we have done to reduce energy consumption. I was pleased to hear of that progress. However, we’ve got a long overdue Energy Efficiency Act and a commitment to getting that in place. Since we didn’t do that, we committed to at least doing a discussion paper. Where is that promised document for our review? Mahsi.
Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The Minister for the Department of Public Works, Mr. Beaulieu.
Thank you. The discussion paper on the Energy Efficiency Act has been drafted. The Department of Public Works is now consulting with the other departments that are impacted by the act. After that they will then be discussing that more broadly. I think that by the time the department finishes looking at the discussion paper it will probably be in the next Assembly, but the discussion paper has definitely been drafted. Thank you.
Another commitment not made and this is what’s slowing us down on our work to deal with the cost of living, environmental issues and so on and causing people to leave or not come to the North. So, very disappointing.
I’m wondering: will the paper, should it be done soon, as the Minister indicates it might be, actually prepare the 18th Assembly to efficiently do what we have not done, and that is put an effective and timely act into place.
So, will the promised discussion paper be comprehensive, ready and waiting and enabling for the 18th Assembly as they begin their work? Mahsi.
That is the plan, that we do present a discussion paper that’s thorough to the next Assembly and that a lot of the legwork will be completed in the discussion paper. Hopefully, once that is done, soon after the next government they will start to move forward with the act. Thank you.
Given that the whole government can see this except this side of the House, I’m wondering if the Minister could share with us what are the major elements that the paper will address when finally delivered. Mahsi.
I don’t have that information with me, but I am prepared to have the department share the major elements. I can provide a briefing in written form to the committee that will highlight all of the major elements that we’re looking at in this Energy Efficiency Act.
Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Final, short supplementary, Mr. Bromley.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister has indicated he was prepared to answer my questions, so I’m wondering how the Minister sees this legislation helping us to reduce our cost of living, our energy and electricity bills and our energy consumption. Mahsi.
As a result of the act, the department will be able to develop a lot of the policies that would be directed to corporations, to be directed to the government, directed to the public on ways that they can reduce energy costs right across the territory and all aspects of our business. I’m hopeful that this act will allow government to work with the public and with industry in all areas to allow everybody to become more efficient energy-wise. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. The Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.
