Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker:

WHEREAS NWT residents live in one of the harshest climates in the world;

AND WHEREAS the cost of living is significantly affected by the cost of energy for power and heat;

AND WHEREAS energy conservation not only saves consumers money, but also reduces greenhouse gas emissions and benefits the environment;

AND WHEREAS environmental stewardship is the highest priority identified by Canadians at this time;

AND WHEREAS there are many readily available fixtures, devices and appliances that have been refined to operate using minimal amounts of energy;

AND WHEREAS the upfront costs of such fixtures, devices and appliances, while initially high, can generally be recovered through energy cost savings;

AND WHEREAS access to capital would provide a means and an incentive for private homeowners to upgrade their homes to be more energy efficient;

AND WHEREAS the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight recommended in its 2006 Pre-Budget Consultation Report that the government establish an Energy Efficiency Loan Program;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Nunakput, that this Legislative Assembly strongly recommends the government bring forward as soon as possible a proposal for a $5 million energy efficiency loan program to provide interest-free loans up to a maximum of $5,000 per household on a non-means-tested basis to assist homeowners to finance upgrades aimed at reducing their energy consumption costs, including but not limited to: woodstoves, pellet stoves, high efficiency oil heaters, solar panels, improved insulation and siding, and more energy-efficient windows.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause