Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There is more news and recognition to the City of Yellowknife’s achievements on the environment. Recognized by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities recently, the city has taken steps to reduce greenhouse gases and improve energy efficiency, thereby achieving the fifth milestone of the Partners for Climate Protection Program. The program is a network of municipal governments that have committed to reduce greenhouse gases and act on climate change. Fort Smith and Fort Simpson are also partners for climate protection communities.

Municipalities progress through five milestones that help build capacity to reduce greenhouse gases. They create a greenhouse gas emissions inventory and forecast, then set an emission reduction target and develop a plan to achieve it. They implement the plan and, the milestone being recognized now, they monitor progress and report results. This is professional program delivery.

On the basis of the plan, the City of Yellowknife has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 10 percent and decreased its reliance on non-renewable energy by 20 percent. The Pellet Fuel Conversion Program, introduction of the EGH 80 Building Standard, expansion of the trail system, use of Energy Star equipment, and other measures have pushed the city forward in achieving this goal.

Municipalities have control over approximately 44 percent of Canada’s emissions while all other orders of government need to work together to reduce Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions. Municipalities are taking effective action themselves. In total, PCP members have invested over $1 billion to date to mitigate climate change, implementing over 700 green projects or measures and reducing emissions by 1.7 million tonnes. NWT municipalities are thinking globally and acting locally.

Our communities, the NWT Association of Municipalities, and this government are leading efforts to control and cut greenhouse gases. We need to roll this success out across our territory, setting territory-wide standards for building energy efficiency, increasing investment in non-renewable energy sources and, yes, even choosing the right water heaters are important steps along the way. They lower the cost of living and help the environment.

Congratulations to the city. Let’s use their example to spur our own efforts. Mahsi.