Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to speak to the intent behind this motion. Mr. Speaker, the cost of living is really high and we're no strangers in the Northwest Territories to knowing this, especially in the small communities. Mr. Speaker, because of a bunch of leaks in the Northwest Territories in terms of the oil and gas and the resource revenue sharing and all the other stuff that goes with it, now at the peak of the oil and gas prices, the Northwest Territories is really paying to live up in the North here. There's a high, high cost every day in the communities. We hear it, and we notice it, and we'll see it, as Ms. Lee has indicated, in the fuel bills we're going to see this winter.

Mr. Speaker, the people in the North are even thinking it might be a colder season, a longer season, and now, because lifestyles are changing, our people are becoming more and more dependent on heat and fuel. Not like the old days. Because of this lifestyle, and because people are fighting very hard to maintain that lifestyle, even that is coming into jeopardy for the trapping, and the hunting, and the use of the traditional foods. That's something that needs to be looked at.

Mr. Speaker, then we look at the poor people. The ones who are on low income and may not be in public housing or on income support.

Mr. Speaker, the people have spoken. We've done the pre-budget consultations. We heard them. I know this motion is about a viable, comprehensive strategy on energy costs, and what we're asking the government to do is on short notice, by November -- next month -- to let the people know what we're doing about a comprehensive strategy about the high costs of energy. We are asking for this in a public forum.

I do agree with one of the speakers, I think it was the Premier, talking about it only being in Yellowknife. I don't think that's the case. I think it's going to be elsewhere. I think we have our agenda in AOC about how we see this government performing and how we see ourselves doing our jobs. Maybe after some discussion, we can bring it into the public forum. I think what the people want to hear is what type of comprehensive studies or strategies are we doing to help them with the high cost of living in the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, I think the real issue here is the federal government keeping us in the poor house. We talk about how much money this territory leaves to Ottawa, and how much the federal government keeps and dictates to us. We're just like little kids to them. It's time we, as a government, in terms of an energy strategy, ask the federal government why we are paying so much money. Why is it so high?

I think that's some of the discussion that may happen on this motion here. There are many possibilities. I think it's a good thing. There are a lot of good things to come out. This government has done some good things in terms of energy cost savings. It's not all bad news. There are good things we can talk about, also. But we have to stay together on this.

I'd like to say I'm in support of this motion here. Thank you.