Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to briefly address the issue of the long outstanding need for a comprehensive energy strategy for the Northwest Territories. This is an issue I raised repeatedly during the life of the 13th Assembly, and I want to raise it again today. It is a critical issue. There have been some efforts made, but in my opinion nothing substantive has been done.

On Tuesday I posed a written question asking for the costs for the provision of fuel and energy throughout the Northwest Territories for all government services. In my opinion, Mr. Speaker, when those numbers are in, all associated and related costs will show that we spend well over $100 million a year in this particular area.

We have to look at how we use energy, how we get it there, and are we doing it the right way? We have to look at the role of NTPC, our major asset, but also one of the biggest liabilities that we have in terms of the debt that we now run. The rising fuel prices make it incumbent upon us to look at this.

We also have to look at the environmental issues, the Kyoto Agreement. We all have to look at the issue of regulatory reform with the Public Utilities Board as to how we monitor and police the services we provide. Some communities are taking very aggressive, positive steps. Fort Simpson is looking at ways of lowering their energy costs. They believe the steps they have taken can save them 20 percent on the cost of the services.

Mr. Speaker, this also ties in to the resource development that we have, because it is related to energy, oil and gas development. I believe there are significant savings to be realized here. The steps taken in the past with the Energy Alliance, while a baby step forward, have to go beyond ten kilowatts, from changing your light bulbs, which is important, to looking at the broader fundamental structural issues related to the provision of energy.

I would hope this government will pursue this vigorously. I will be raising this issue with the committees and through the business planning process. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.