Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to return to a subject discussed earlier this month by my colleague, the Member for Tu NedheWiilideh.
In June, energy stakeholders will come together to run a charrette on carbon taxing from opportunities and possible rules to revenues and community energy projects. They'll also be planning for the use of micro-grids to reduce emissions. There have been NWTbased energy charrettes in the past, and the GNWT has been a major player. Some might say that we don't need another conference, or that we need to take action, not just talk about it.
Mr. Speaker, to that I say: progress can be slow, but that doesn't mean we should just stop trying. Discussion takes time, true, but that's how ideas for action are born. Charrettes bring people together to solve problems. Here, Aboriginal and community governments, industry, and environmental NGOs want to come together, Mr. Speaker. That's big. That means that these partners recognize the big questions raised by carbon taxing and ideas for alternative energy, and that they want to get together, find solutions, and make changes that will make a difference on the ground.
The Gwich'in Tribal Council is in full support, and like several other partners, the council is making a funding contribution. All Members recently received a background on this charrette. There's a seat at the table for the GNWT, and organizers are looking for a commitment, a commitment to participate and to complement the contributions already made by private donors. I hope they'll see us there, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.
Masi. Members’ statements. Member for Tu NedheWiilideh.
Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, affordable energy, the cost of living, reduction in diesel use in remote communities, microgrid technology, the impending carbon tax are all big, important issues, especially for the 26 offgrid communities. Today, we will focus our attention in this House on those issues.
Mr. Speaker, we have seen what is possible with microgrids in Colville Lake and what is achievable with similar technology in the communities. The communities have also seen what is possible with power purchase agreements and economic opportunities in Lutselk'e, and what can be realized in the communities.
Mr. Speaker, in the upcoming federal budget there will be a $50 million fund for remote, Indigenous communities to assist in the transition off diesel fuel. We know a carbon tax is coming soon to the NWT and we need to get ready. There is much to discuss with the communities, Aboriginal governments, mines, businesses, the Government of the Northwest Territories, and the people, the process and the table to bring Northerners together to exist. The time for these discussions is now, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, the Gwich'in Tribal Council is proposing to host a charrette in Yellowknife in June on the issues I have mentioned. Leaders from the Aboriginal governments, the president and board of the NWT Association of Communities, and mine representatives will be invited. To date, neither the GNWT nor the federal government have committed to be a part of this critical partnership event, even though it is a political priority for both governments.
Mr. Speaker, planning is well under way for this charrette. The GNWT should be playing a leadership role in this collaborative partnership. Our communities are looking for that leadership. The NWT Association of Communities are looking for that leadership. There is huge benefit to having the collective wisdom of all these Northerners gathered around a table, offering their collective advice and recommendations to government on how to move forward on the critical issues I mentioned in this statement.
The 18th Assembly, the first Assembly after devolution, made a commitment to Northerners to doing things differently, to getting things done. Northerners from all sectors have organized themselves to work with government on these issues. They have contributed funds towards the charrette. They are reaching out to the government to join this collaborative partnership to sort out these critical issues. It is time for the government to step up and step forward. Northerners are moving, and they need the government to move with them. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Sahtu.
