Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I as well would like to speak in support of this motion. I see the main thrust is a short-term remedy to get ready for this coming heating season, which is not that far off. The longer, more strategic plan would come later, as the Premier has indicated. He is starting an Energy Secretariat that is going to report to him. It is going to have the mandate to come up with this broad energy strategy, as well his Hydro Secretariat, that is going to have a related function.
Very clearly, Mr. Speaker, the price of fuel, while Minister Handley may think is going to go down, the reality is that it has come up very, very high. It is not going to go down to the same levels. I just saw a survey done by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business which indicated that is the number one concern among small businesses in the Northwest Territories, the high cost of energy, heating and fuel.
I think that sentiment would be shared by every private individual as well. I think this just provides reinforcement and support to the government to move ahead with this kind of very important program. Let us do it now, and not be like the grasshopper and fiddle away until September or October. Let us be like the ant and get ready for the winter we know is coming.
I would strongly encourage the government to take this motion in the spirit it is intended, to support the initiatives and efforts of the government to deal with this very complicated issue. However, we have to ready for the winter. Now is the time to start planning. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.