The Chair David Krutko

Page 1-10, Revenue Summary, information item. Mr. Abernethy.

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I’m just curious what “Gain on Investments” is. I see in 2006–2007 it’s $1.971 million, but then in ’07–08 and ’08–09 it completely disappears. Why is there nothing budgeted for ’08–09? If someone could help me understand what that is, that would be great.

The Chair David Krutko

Mr. Speaker.

Paul Delorey Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The gain on investments is related to the investment portfolio in the Supplementary Retiring Allowances Fund. It’s calculated as the difference between the value of assets of the fund on March 31, 2006, and at March 31, 2007. It’s totally due to investment performance.

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

Why is it zero on ’08–09?

The Chair David Krutko

Page 1-10, Revenue Summary, information item.

Legislative Assembly, Department Summary,

Revenue Summary, information item, approved.

The Chair David Krutko

Page 1-13, Activity Summary, Office of the Clerk, Operations Expenditure Summary: $7.826 million. Mr. Bromley.

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I note that our utilities are steadily increasing. I’m concerned that the price of oil has gone up over 60 per cent since I became an MLA eight months ago; that we are heating this building on the basis of oil; that there is proven technology, in town and operating right now, for much less money; that there’s a proven source of fuel such as pellets available for long-term contracts — very cheap. In fact, the cost of the pellets are going down.

I have to admit to a conflict of interest, because I’m a carbon-neutral MLA, which means I have to offset the costs of fossil fuels used to heat my office and that of my constituency assistant. I’m partly speaking up on my own behalf to cut those costs down, but I’m talking full costs here, both the environmental and the monetary costs.

I know it’s been brought up, but I don’t know that I’m seeing the rigour and the commitment I’d like to here.

My question to the Speaker: is there a chance this could be aggressively pursued, and we could get off fossil fuel heat and onto biomass for this building?

The Chair David Krutko

Mr. Speaker.

Paul Delorey Hay River North

Thank you, Mr.

Chairman.

That is an issue we have been dealing with for some time now: trying to reduce the energy costs for the Assembly and keeping in mind, as well, the environment.

We have introduced some initiatives here to cut down on costs, such as lighting. Specifically to the fuel, there has been a proposal put forward for pellet heat for the building. We are looking into some of the costs involved in that, and not only that but location for the ability to put in a hopper that would serve that type of system. It’s actively being looked at to try and come up with some costs and to find where we would put the equipment to handle that. It is one we’re very interested in doing, and we’re pursuing it as we speak, actually.

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Great. Thank you very much. I appreciate that. I think it would be great, as leaders for the territory, to be able to point the finger at ourselves as leading in all ways. Thank you very much. I appreciate that.

The Chair David Krutko

We’re on page 1-13. Mr. Hawkins.

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I like to consistently bring this up each year: it’s the matter of the parking in the Legislative Assembly and the grounds for persons in the public and the accessibility that creates.

I know it’s been looked at and considered in previous years. There even was money budgeted in past years. I was wondering if I could have an update on that situation.