Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

WHEREAS climate change, as a result of greenhouse gas emissions, is one of the most serious environmental, economic and political challenges of our time;

AND WHEREAS global climate change is predicted to result in significant impacts in the North, some of which are already being felt;

AND WHEREAS the Government of the Northwest Territories, through the NWT Greenhouse Gas Strategy, has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 10 per cent below 2001 levels by 2011;

AND WHEREAS the Northwest Territories per capita greenhouse gas emissions are over 50 per cent higher than the national average and amongst the world’s highest;

AND WHEREAS the transportation sector emits 46 per cent of greenhouse gases in the Northwest Territories, which represents the largest single source of emissions;

AND WHEREAS the use of fuel efficient vehicles can contribute to a substantial reduction in greenhouse gas emissions;

AND WHEREAS the Government of the Northwest Territories has the authority to establish vehicle registration fees;

NOW THEREFORE I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, that this Legislative Assembly recommends implementing a tiered vehicle registration system where fees are based on the fuel economy rating of vehicles, thereby encouraging ownership of more fuel-efficient vehicles and supporting the overall reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the Northwest Territories.