We realize Northerners have been hard hit by rising fuel prices. The rapid increase in prices has placed an additional burden on residents, particularly homeowners, business operators and hunters and trappers. Members of the Assembly have effectively expressed their concerns. This government already is providing help to many -- through our social housing and income support programs and through our power subsidy programs for residents and businesses. These programs will continue. In fact, this budget includes almost $1 million in additional funding to the Housing Corporation to pay the increased fuel costs for public housing and $1 million to maintain the Power Subsidy Program.

We recognize, however, that there are many at low to moderate income levels who need help to offset the high cost of fuel. In response to concerns raised by Members, I am announcing today that we will provide a one-time fuel rebate of $320 to eligible households who directly purchase home heating fuel and $150 per household to renters living in eligible apartments. Eligibility for the rebates will be determined by an income test.

These rebates will be paid in this fiscal year, so households can receive the assistance before the end of March. We estimate this program will cost $1.3 million in 2000-2001.

While employment opportunities are improving in many remote communities, the economy of most is closely tied to traditional harvesting. Individual trappers make modest livings, and have been adversely affected by rising fuel costs. In recognition of this, we will be providing a one-time payment of $150 to each trapper who harvested at least $500 worth of fur in either of the last two trapping seasons. This investment will cost an estimated $62,000.

We realize, of course, that there are other harvesters, such as fishermen, who may have been heavily impacted by rising fuel prices. We will be monitoring this impact and will be developing strategies to assist those most severely affected.

A number of Members have raised the issue of rising fuel costs and the impact on government. We recognize that higher fuel prices have increased the operating expenses of the community governments in the Northwest Territories. These additional costs are significant enough that they cannot be absorbed by local governments and will be passed on to residents unless the Government of the Northwest Territories can offer assistance. We will provide additional funding to community governments of $230,000 in 2000-2001 and $434,000 in 2001-2002.

Mr. Speaker, this government does not have the resources to shield all residents from the full effects of fuel price increases, nor do we have the ability to sustain the support we are providing on a long-term basis. It is up to all residents and businesses to reduce the amount of fuel we use by becoming more energy efficient. To this end, we will be exploring ways of promoting efficiencies in fuel consumption throughout the government and the private sector. In conjunction with the Arctic Energy Alliance, our goal is to increase the understanding of energy related issues and promote conservation.