Thank you, Mr. Chair. Residents of the NWT are combating the impacts of climate change and are seeing the highest costs of living ever. Elders are seeing dramatic changes to the land they've known since childhood. Animals are following new migration patterns. Shorter, warmer winters, more severe summer storms, erosion and wildfires are just a few changes in life-long climate conditions that are currently faced by Northerners. I present this motion to enable this government to help people in our communities as they grapple with the impacts of climate change. In March of last year, both the NWT Association of Communities and Yellowknife City Council passed similar motions. Speaking on behalf of territorial communities, both these bodies urged the GNWT to consider amendments to territorial legislation to enable community governments to use LICs, known as local improvement charges. These LICs, in my amendment referred to as revolving funds, would permit communities to directly assist local homeowners and businesses to retrofit and become more energy efficient, and adapt to renewable energy technologies. Many municipalities across Canada are now using LICs to help their residents and businesses lower their energy costs and safe money. This may be through energy efficient retrofits, or the use of solar, wind, or other renewable energy sources. The territory will save money and reduce effects of climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and will be supporting a real mechanism for reducing the cost of living. As directly requested by the NWTAC and the council of our capital city, this government can give our communities a direct tool to encourage energy efficiency and use of renewable energy and reduced costs of living. It's time for the GNWT to partner with our communities to give them the ability to implement these changes at the community level. These are my comments in support of the motion. Thank you.
Cory Vanthuyne on Committee Motion 14-18(2): Tabled Document 1-18(2): Proposed Mandate Of The Government Of The Northwest Territories, 2016-2019, Replacement Of Text Regarding Community Governments Addressing Energy Efficiency, Energy Conservation And Climate Change, Carried
In the Legislative Assembly on February 24th, 2016. See this statement in context.
Committee Motion 14-18(2): Tabled Document 1-18(2): Proposed Mandate Of The Government Of The Northwest Territories, 2016-2019, Replacement Of Text Regarding Community Governments Addressing Energy Efficiency, Energy Conservation And Climate Change, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
February 24th, 2016
See context to find out what was said next.