Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in his sessional statement, the Premier mentioned a combined federal-territorial initiative looking at renewable solutions for the off-grid diesel community. Those solutions exist. Colville Lake has proven that. A carbon tax is coming. Emissions need to be cut. The cost of living needs to be brought down in our small communities, and our small communities need economic opportunity.

There was a Pan-Canadian summit on this priority in Winnipeg in January. There were small community people from Akaitcho, Deh Cho, Tlicho, Sahtu, as well as the chair of the IRC and the senior representative from the GTC, along with staff from the GNWT, NTPC, and the Arctic Energy Alliance. They were in full support at this summit for an initiative to get small communities off diesel.

Mr. Speaker, the technology is there to address this priority. High penetration of micro-grade technology in off-grid communities is a way forward. This is a green economic opportunity that can bring hundreds of millions of dollars to the 26 off-grid communities over the next 10 years, creating economic opportunity, lowering the cost of energy and living, and protecting the environment.

There is a plan for microgrids into the communities, something that all communities want. There is a plan for a charette to bring the communities' Aboriginal government, industry, environmental NGOs, and government together in June in Yellowknife to kick start the process. Over $100,000 has been raised by partners working on this. I support this plan, and ask the government to step up, collaborate, and play a leadership role with other partners to make the charette happen and seize opportunity to help off-grid communities in the development of energy alternatives. Marci cho, Mr. Speaker.