Debates of May 19, 2011 (day 11)

Mr. Speaker, at the beginning of the 16th Legislative Assembly this government made a $60 million commitment toward energy programs and initiatives. This commitment was in addition to existing programs and initiatives and intended to reduce the cost of living in the Northwest Territories and advance alternative energy initiatives.

Based on the priorities established by the 16th Legislative Assembly, our focus has been on reducing imported fossil fuels, mitigating the environmental impacts of our energy use, and reducing the cost of living in the Northwest Territories.

As the chair of the Ministerial Energy Coordinating Committee, I am pleased to provide an update on the results of this investment.

We have had some real successes. For example, the Northwest Territories leads Canada in the installation of commercial wood pellet boilers. We have invested in energy efficiency retrofits for our buildings, and provided support to the Arctic Energy Alliance to help communities and residents manage their own energy use. The electricity review rationalized our electricity rates, which substantially reduced the cost of living in many of our smaller communities.

Mr. Speaker, all of our communities have the potential to use local and, preferably, renewable sources of energy supply. Northern communities could be using wind energy; we have hydro potential all the way down the Mackenzie Valley; communities such as Fort Liard, Fort Simpson, Hay River and Fort Providence have tremendous geothermal potential; and many communities could be utilizing local biomass. For some communities the answer could be a combination of local energy sources, including solar, natural gas and hydrokinetic turbines. I believe that with collective efforts we will vastly reduce our reliance on imported diesel.

We believe that the Energy Report will provide communities with a useful overview of energy in the Northwest Territories and may serve as a guide for the 17th Legislative Assembly as they establish their vision, goals and priorities for the future. Later today I will table the Northwest Territories Energy Report. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.