Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I read a document published by the Department of ITI and ENR called "Energy for the Future," June 2006. Mr. Speaker, the Ministers have embarked on an energy crusade to develop a framework policy to ensure all NWT communities are treated equally in heating their homes or reducing huge leakage in the business sectors.
Mr. Speaker, the document states that the NWT consumes nearly 416 million litres of fuel, 55 percent of which is used for transportation. Fuel imported for space heating requires 91 million litres of diesel imported for electricity generators. The report also states that the development of highway infrastructure would have the greatest impact in terms of reducing energy costs and the costs of living in the NWT communities.
I'm a little worried, Mr. Speaker, because in the Sahtu we have no highways, our communities rely on diesel generators, and we only have seasonal roads. In 2004 in Deline, the average income per person is a little more than half of what the average person earns elsewhere in the Territories. Yet, Mr. Speaker, our cost of living is almost double that of Yellowknife. The Energy for the Future report is full of good ideas, such as the hydroelectric development strategy. The report says that hydroelectric power is renewable and insulated from international fuel price increases. The report also mentioned other potentials for cheaper energy sources. However, as long as these ideas sit in this report, the cost of living in the Sahtu remains terribly high. The government needs to get moving on implementing this strategy as soon as possible, so the people in the Sahtu can lead affordable lives.
Mr. Speaker, finally, I look forward towards a policy that supports all communities in the North with an equitable and sustaining energy model that will make our people proud and that we will be doing more to make it more liveable. Thank you.
---Applause