Mr. Speaker, our Premier and Minister of Finance has indicated that as a government, our rate of spending is increasing faster than our rate of revenue intake. Clearly, a remedy is needed. We can make cuts, and we must find ways to increase our revenues. But, Mr. Speaker, I would like to suggest there is a third way.

All Members of this Assembly and, indeed, all people who pay bills, have seen a steep and rising increase in the cost of energy, particularly fossil fuels such as fuel oil, diesel and propane. In those communities where electricity generation depends on diesel generators, there has been a parallel increase in the cost of electricity, as clearly highlighted yesterday by my colleagues Mr. Krutko, Mr. McLeod and Mr. Menicoche.

Mr. Speaker, this government has significant infrastructure and numbers of staff in every community of the Northwest Territories. I see this as an opportunity to make progress on several fronts. As possibly the largest single non-human cost this government faces, energy costs provide an opportunity for major savings. Organizations large and small have proven that just by changing the ways we use energy, savings of between 10 and 30 per cent can be achieved. Families that face crippling utility bills react effectively when informed and motivated. I know individuals and institutions here in the N.W.T. who have reduced their electrical bills by greater than 20 and 30 per cent through their own awareness and action. They’ve done it, and we can do it too.

Besides cutting waste, reductions in energy costs will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to our efforts to mitigate climate change — one of the most urgent challenges we face. But most immediately relevant to our focus on budgets, finances and trying to do more with less, saving money otherwise spent on energy also means the chance to live within our means without suffering job loss.

We have an innovative and committed workforce of thinking people who would love the chance to show their merit. Mr. Speaker, let’s use this opportunity to challenge our dedicated public service and see what we can do together. Let’s ask for ideas and suggestions from our own public servants on energy savings in government activities and workplaces and, in the process, save jobs, mitigate climate change and develop our workplace morale.

Mr. Speaker, I ask permission to conclude my statement.