Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, affordable energy, the cost of living, reduction in diesel use in remote communities, micro-grid technology, the impending carbon tax are all big, important issues, especially for the 26 off-grid communities. Today, we will focus our attention in this House on those issues.
Mr. Speaker, we have seen what is possible with micro-grids in Colville Lake and what is achievable with similar technology in the communities. The communities have also seen what is possible with power purchase agreements and economic opportunities in Lutselk'e, and what can be realized in the communities.
Mr. Speaker, in the upcoming federal budget there will be a $50 million fund for remote, Indigenous communities to assist in the transition off diesel fuel. We know a carbon tax is coming soon to the NWT and we need to get ready. There is much to discuss with the communities, Aboriginal governments, mines, businesses, the Government of the Northwest Territories, and the people, the process and the table to bring Northerners together to exist. The time for these discussions is now, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, the Gwich'in Tribal Council is proposing to host a charrette in Yellowknife in June on the issues I have mentioned. Leaders from the Aboriginal governments, the president and board of the NWT Association of Communities, and mine representatives will be invited. To date, neither the GNWT nor the federal government have committed to be a part of this critical partnership event, even though it is a political priority for both governments.
Mr. Speaker, planning is well under way for this charrette. The GNWT should be playing a leadership role in this collaborative partnership. Our communities are looking for that leadership. The NWT Association of Communities are looking for that leadership. There is huge benefit to having the collective wisdom of all these Northerners gathered around a table, offering their collective advice and recommendations to government on how to move forward on the critical issues I mentioned in this statement.
The 18th Assembly, the first Assembly after devolution, made a commitment to Northerners to doing things differently, to getting things done. Northerners from all sectors have organized themselves to work with government on these issues. They have contributed funds towards the charrette. They are reaching out to the government to join this collaborative partnership to sort out these critical issues. It is time for the government to step up and step forward. Northerners are moving, and they need the government to move with them. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.