(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, one thing I'm going to touch on is regarding energy efficiency. The price of heating oil and diesel has drastically increased over the years and will continue to rise. People are starting to look into alternative ways to heat their homes just so they can get by during the winter months. That's why the people in the communities, that's what we're looking into. What can we do to make it much better, to really look at it? This is what they call pellet stove. It is costly. To buy a stove it costs over $4,000 something. How can we help these people? That's what we're talking about. Mr. Speaker...(Translation ends)
...energy efficiency is a very important and worthwhile initiative here in the Northwest Territories. This has been an issue in the communities during our pre-budget consultation in the north and south sections of the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, the price of heating oil and diesel has drastically increased over the years and will continue to rise. People are starting to look into alternative ways to heat their homes just so they can get by during the winter months. Mr. Speaker, I realize that the GNWT has
subsidy programs to deal with energy efficiency, which is great to see. I think we need to go further, be specific on our subsidy programs. There may be some subsidy programs out there, but people are still confused as to where to turn for these so-called subsidies and what's available to them here in the Northwest Territories,
Mr. Speaker, I think it is time that this government invests in subsidizing wood pellet stoves and regular wood stoves. The installation of these stoves is very expensive. Some stoves can range from $4,500 to $10,000, depending on the size of the area to be heated and other considerations. Mr. Speaker, some elders and community members simply cannot afford to purchase an energy-efficient pellet or wood stove, let alone the additional cost for installation. This is where the GNWT needs to step up to the plate. Mahsi.
---Applause