Mr. Speaker, I, too, stand in support of this motion. I think it reflects very well on the themes that most of us talked about earlier today in our statements and our questions on energy and climate and what can we do to make a difference. I very firmly believe that one of the expectations and one of the mandates that we have as legislators here is to show leadership where we can put taxpayers' money to good use, demonstrate that leadership, and provide as this motion really amounts to, Mr. Speaker. This puts an incentive at the hands of homeowners, and I hope of all consumers in the Northwest Territories, to be able to do their part for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, to become more efficient, become cleaner in the way we live and in the so-called footprint that we have on our environment.
Mr. Speaker, I was able to take advantage of this as a homeowner and a family in the NWT last year. My wife and I decided to do some upgrades in our own home here in Yellowknife. We added an extra inch of insulation, we put some new siding on, changed all of our windows and doors, put in two new clothes washing appliances. It was a considerable investment, Mr. Speaker; just over $25,000 or so. But through the EnerGuide program that the federal government up to a certain time and then our territorial government assisted in, I got the benefit of some expert advice on what I could do that would really make a difference in my home. I also got I think it was just under $700 back as a rebate that was proportional to the investment that I made. So it wasn't a lot of money, Mr. Speaker, compared to the overall outlay, but that's not what I was looking for. It provided me with, as I say, that incentive. The government was showing leadership and I got some good advice out of it.
I'd also like to say, pass on a compliment, Mr. Speaker. In respect of that program I was able to take advantage of it and I know that others in the NWT, were able to do that, even after the federal government pulled the pin on it. Our government, the Department of ENR last year said this is important, we're going to continue it. Even if those scoundrels in Ottawa backed out of it, we took up the cause and made it happen. So let's continue on with this, Mr. Speaker.
The motion calls for interest-free loans up to a maximum of $5,000 per household. It includes stoves, high-efficiency heaters, solar panels, insulation and siding, the kind of thing I did in my house. But it's not limited to that. I hope that in taking this motion, Mr. Speaker, motions of course do not result in direct action, but they are strong signals of advice and suggestion to the government and I hope the government takes the intent of this and looks at any and all possible ways that it could implement it.
I'd especially like to see this program apply, Mr. Speaker, to vehicles. We have the availability and the success of hybrid vehicles now being shown. Even in the area of recreational vehicles, Mr. Speaker, snowmobiles and outboard motors now have much more efficient and cleaner four-stroke technology. Could we potentially make an interest-free loan available to assist people to buy these? They're very much a part of our northern lifestyle and, indeed, livelihood for some people.
So, Mr. Speaker, I will conclude my statements there. I believe this shows leadership and I sincerely hope that the government will take this up and come back with something that reflects the efforts that we're trying to put into it today, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause