Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the residents of Kakisa were left in the dark earlier this year when the power went out in the community. Northland Utilities distributes power to Kakisa from a diesel generator plant at Dory Point. It's believed that the lines were knocked down by heavy snow. Some people were away from their homes at the time and came back to find their houses frozen up costing hundreds of dollars to repair damages from frozen pipes. Mr. Speaker, the transmission lines were repaired, but if the power goes out again there is no backup. As government moves forward with another Energy Plan, I urge Cabinet to remember our goals of getting communities off diesel and provide reliable electrical power to all residents. We have a great opportunity for innovation. Kakisa is made up of 60 to 70 people. Small-scale power generation is entirely feasible. Just look at the man in Inuvik who is now completely off the grid because he installed a solar array on his property. Just look at Colville Lake, Mr. Speaker. Yes, they run diesel generators but they also recently installed solar panels that provide power to the community. Once in a while they can shut off the generators and enjoy the sounds of the settlement before it depended on fossil fuels. Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories must look at ways to reduce the cost of providing power to communities. Not everyone has the resource or skills to install and operate their own solar array, but working together we can do something for an entire community. We can encourage people to take ownership of a functional system that benefits everyone. Mr. Speaker, Kakisa in the sunny Deh Cho is an ideal place to repeat the successes we're seeing in Colville Lake. Let’s stop talking about getting communities off diesel and focus on making the most of our renewable resources to provide efficient and reliable power to our rural and remote communities. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members’ statements. Member for Yellowknife Centre.
