Mahsi, Mr. Chairman. General comments on the Cost of Living Strategy. As the high cost of living was one of the issues that members of the committee heard about during our pre-budget consultations, the committee is supportive of the Premier's initiative to establish a Cost of Living Strategy committee, composed of Cabinet and Regular Members.
One of the biggest cost drivers is the price of fuel. The increasing costs of energy will affect everyone across the Territories. Some communities will see an increase in fuel between one to 20 cents per litre because the government has decided it can no longer average the price of fuel that Public Works and Services delivers.
The Governance and Economic Development committee, after their review of the 2006-2009 Business Plans, wrote to the government asking them to establish a concise plan that balances the provision of affordable energy with plans for conservation.
This committee also commented that the government should be highly conscientious of its own use of energy and establish itself as a role model for the Northwest Territories. The cost of utilities for some government facilities, such as hospitals, is rising dramatically. Every opportunity to demonstrate commitment to controlling energy costs should be taken. For instance, government vehicles should be turned off and not left to idle, and appliances should be unplugged in vacant public housing units.
The Governance and Economic Development committee would like to see the government take the lead in pursuing demonstrable energy savings. The committee would prefer not to see a huge increase in forced growth cost as a result of energy consumption.
Recommendation
The Governance and Economic Development committee recommends that the government design its facilities to be energy efficient and also use their equipment in an energy-efficient manner.
The Governance and Economic Development committee also recommends the government develop a program to recognize and reward employees for suggesting ways to save energy.
Mahsi, Mr. Chairman. That concludes my general comments.