Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to speak in favour of this motion. We have heard from all the Members within this room that they recognize that the cost of living in the Territories continues to increase, and not only from Ordinary Members. I know Ministers are very busy and do not get back to their constituencies as often as we do, but I am sure they are in touch with their constituents enough to hear that there is a major concern for the cost of living up here.
I recognize the fact that the government is taking some initiative to put a long-term energy strategy in place. I agree that is very important. That may look after the long-term needs of the residents of the Northwest Territories, but in the short-term, we need something to help offset the high cost of living to our residents.
We have heard the Minister state a number of times that we are monitoring the cost of this and the cost of that. At the last minute, maybe we react, like we did with the Fuel Subsidy Program, but not enough time to review how effective it is going to be and who it is going to benefit. In that way, Mr. Speaker, we miss out on addressing the needs of all our residents.
I have heard the Minister say the price of oil and gas is coming down. That creates some concern for me, Mr. Speaker, because we are gearing our whole energy strategy towards a window where the prices are up, and that encourages the oil and gas development sector.
I for one do not think the prices are going to come down that far, not near to where they were before they started going up in the last year or so. I think we have to think short-term. We have to put some benefits in place that will help our residents come over the short-term.
I know people want to see development in the North. They want to see development in the hydro area and in oil and gas. I do not believe, Mr. Speaker, that the revenues that are going to be coming from any of these developments are going to be coming to our residents anytime soon, not in the next few years anyway.
I think it is incumbent upon us to get some relief packages in place that will benefit our residents. I encourage this House and the Minister to look at putting this subsidy in place to help our residents in the short term. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
-- Applause