Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. The cost of living in the Northwest Territories keeps rising year in and year out. Every time the cost of diesel goes up, so does the power bill, skyrocketing costs of groceries, cost to repair appliances, cars, trucks, and all-terrain vehicles.

Mr. Speaker, our message for staycations will come at a cost. There's a document from the 17^th Legislative Assembly entitled "A Vision For Energy In The Northwest Territories which states, "There's a great deal of consensus across the Northwest Territories on the need to reduce our high costs of energy and the impacts of our energy use on the environment." This was in 2012.

The document further states, "It is time to build on earlier work and establish a vision of a future energy supply and use in the NWT that reflects the goals and aspirations of residents, communities, and Aboriginal governments. The Government of the Northwest Territories believes that this vision needs to be founded upon the goal of reducing imported oil and greater utilization of local and renewable forms of energy."

Mr. Speaker, I realize the GNWT has made some gains towards this goal but somehow loses interest in pursuing the ultimate goal of reducing our high cost of living. The new and updated energy plan by the GNWT developed in the 18^th Legislative Assembly, the 2030 Energy Strategy, states its goal to guide the long-term development of secure, affordable, and sustainable energy for transportation, heat, and electricity.

It goes on to state, "The GNWT, including the NWT Housing Corporation, will focus on leading by example by reducing energy use and emissions in its operations." It's also interesting to note the GNWT will also partner with communities and other stakeholders to ensure that the objectives of this strategy are met. Mr. Speaker, the GNWT has long said it wants to lower our cost of living, but are we realizing that goal through actions? Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Premier at the appropriate time. Mahsi.