Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On the heels of Mr. Handley's message today and the Premier's a couple days ago, as well as a number of other messages, we are very much an energized Assembly these days, and that is indeed the topic of my statement.
On Tuesday, Mr. Speaker, the Premier's Sessional Statement acknowledged that while the increased demand for energy in North America has resulted in increased employment here in the Northwest Territories, it has also resulted in increased energy costs here at home. Mr. Speaker, this is the crux of my problem.
How do we balance the rewards we stand to gain in jobs and wealth against the cost of energy to the average northern consumer? Mr. Speaker, the 1998 household survey showed that the average Yellowknife household paid $3,000 to meet their utility costs. The average Canadian household only paid $1,521 to meet their energy needs. All of the jobs in the world, Mr. Speaker, will not help if the cost of energy is so prohibitive that Northerners cannot afford to keep their homes, businesses and vehicles running comfortably with reliable, affordable fuel and electricity.
The Premier also outlined his plan to form the Energy Secretariat to develop and present an energy strategy to Cabinet within one year. This is a positive step. I have been advocating a coordinated approach to how energy is developed and managed in the Northwest Territories since I was elected in 1999.
The Premier also stated "Energy development must result in clean, affordable and accessible energy to our residents, our people." The key word here, Mr. Speaker, is affordability. I would certainly expect that the Northwest Territories energy strategy would also look at the issue of long-term stability in the supply and cost of energy to Northerners. It is our gas, our oil and our hydroelectricity.
Mr. Speaker, we have a major responsibility to manage this energy with a "Northerners first" strategic direction. I will be following up on this with the Premier during question period. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
-- Applause