Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have questions for the Premier in his role as Chairman of the Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Energy and Climate Change. Mr. Speaker, getting small communities off diesel is a priority for the federal government, GNWT, and this Assembly. It is also a priority for MLAs on this side of the House, as we represent 25 of the 25 communities off-grid. Will the government continue to work with the communities, Aboriginal governments, industry, and environmental nongovernment organizations on a microgrid charette in June in Yellowknife that will kick start the transition into renewable energy solutions? Thank you.
Masi. The Honourable Premier.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm not aware of a microgrid charette being organized in Yellowknife in June, so it would be helpful perhaps for the Member to edify me on who is organizing, who the proponents are.
I can say that the Government of Northwest Territories is currently in the process of engaging with energy stakeholders as part of the development of a new climate change framework and energy strategy. To date we've held meetings in Inuvik, Norman Wells, Fort Smith, and Yellowknife. We have workshop sessions upcoming in Fort Simpson, Hay River, and Behchoko. We've received submissions from Alternatives North and other energy consulting businesses and are considering those perspectives. We certainly welcome the opportunity to hear from all interested parties and will work to integrate those comments and suggestions into the draft energy strategy and climate change framework which we expect to table in draft form later this year.
Also, getting small communities off diesel was one of the three infrastructure priorities that we went to Ottawa with to discuss with the federal government in November, and we are looking forward, hopefully, to positive announcements in the federal budget speech later this month. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
My understanding is this is a collaboration between several organizations. They have already raised $135,000 of $325,000 required for the charette; $40,000 from the Boreal Initiative; $20,000 from Tides Canada; $15,000 from the Gwich'in Tribal Council; and the potential of $60,000 from the mines. Will the government come forward as a funding partner to contribute the remaining $190,000 to make this charette a reality and a success?
As a government, we like charettes. We like them so much that we held a charette in 2012, a charette in 2014, and we also funded a remote microgrid conference here in Yellowknife in September 2015. So that, coupled with the engagement process that is under way now, is a strong indication of how committed we are. Certainly I understand there is a proposal that has been submitted and was recently received on January 24th; we will certainly look at that. I am certainly interested in learning more details around the proposed charette and what new information would we get beyond the findings of the previous charettes and microgrid conference that we would receive from this proposed charette.
My expectation is, if it looks like they will be coming up with a number of new information, certainly we'd look at the federal government to partner as well and we would take it into consideration like we look at all proposals that the government receives.
Mr. Speaker, as the Premier has indicated, the Minister of Climate Change and Energy indicated, the charettes in 2012 and 2014 were to set the path today to record the way the government plans to go. It brought people together, helped clarify the thinking of government, and set the path for renewable energy and getting off diesel.
Will the government, in consideration to the items that the Premier has requested essentially saying if we can provide more information and that can be done, will the Premier appoint a senior official to be part of this collaborative working group to this critical third charette?
As a result of working on a new climate change framework and a new energy strategy, we do have a team of people that are working together from the departments of ENR and Public Works, and they work on public engagement and the development of these strategies so that they align with our long-term objectives. These teams include senior officials of the Government of the Northwest Territories, and with our responsibilities to the development of these strategies we can certainly send somebody to attend or are open to participating in stakeholder-driven engagement sessions. As I said, we will be reviewing the proposal and will consider having staff attend once we have more information on the proposed sessions and topics.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.
Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my understanding is there is a planning meeting of a working group working towards a charette here in Yellowknife on February 22nd and 23rd. I was wondering if the Premier could commit senior officials from that group or a senior official from that group to attend the working group meeting? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I said, when we get the details we will certainly look seriously at doing it. I guess the main issue for me is, if we spend $190,000 on a charette, does that mean if that charette comes out with recommendations because we spent so much money that we are bound by whatever comes out of that charette? So I guess that's the main thing that we have to look at when we are evaluating this proposal.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Mackenzie Delta.
