Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the high cost of living in the Northwest Territories, especially our small, isolated communities, has seen a major increase, especially in the cost of fuel. In the constituency I represent, in the community of Aklavik, they are paying 74 cents per litre for heating fuel and as high as $1.25 a litre for gasoline.

Mr. Speaker, the Minister mentions subsidies that they are going to offset of some $350. Yes, Mr. Speaker, the cost of heating fuel has skyrocketed, the other costs associated with goods and services and also property taxes have increased. Communities are trying to find new ways and new initiatives of how to offset the high cost of diesel fuel in our communities.

I think one of the things that communities are considering is if it is possible for the Housing Corporation to consider a new initiative by improving the ability of private household owners to use wood as an alternative heat source and diesel fuel where there is a real resource sitting on our doorstep. I think it is important as a government that we start developing our resources, not only the non-renewable but the renewable resources to allow people to have the ability to have a second source of heat within their homes. I think it is important as a government that we have to find unique ways of dealing with the high cost of energy in our communities, especially the costs to heat our homes.

It is important for this government to start looking at new initiatives. We have agencies and groups out there with regard to the Arctic Energy Alliance that are doing work on behalf of this government, but they are looking more in the way of energy. I think we also have to try to find ways to improve the homes of the residents that we serve and also give them the opportunity to find alternative ways of dealing with the high cost of energy, especially heating fuel in the Northwest Territories. So at the appropriate time, Mr. Speaker, I will be asking the Minister of Housing to consider the new initiative of putting woodstoves in people's homes so they can use the renewable resources around them. Thank you.

-- Applause