Check against delivery

Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories remains dedicated to strengthening its leadership and authority on climate change, as well as ensuring that climate change impacts are specifically considered when making government decisions.

As part of this commitment, Housing NWT continues to improve the energy efficiency of its housing stock and continues to make strategic investments in alternative energy solutions that not only help lower social housing operating costs and improve living conditions, but also reduce green house gas emissions. 

To help chart this critical path forward, Housing NWT is advancing the development of an Energy Management Strategy and a 3-year Energy Blueprint. These two documents will support both Housing NWT’s energy goals and objectives, as well the strategic objectives of the GNWT’s 2030 Energy Strategy.

Housing NWT’s Energy Management Strategy will propose short- to medium-term strategies to 2030, as it takes a long-term view towards 2050 to guide energy management decisions and investments. The strategy is supported by the 3-year Energy Management Blueprint that will include measurable actions to track progress and outcomes over the course of the next several years. 

Mr. Speaker, investments in energy efficiency solutions are not new to Housing NWT.
Each year, Housing NWT’s capital plan includes significant investment in modernization and improvement projects that include various energy efficiency upgrades as well as new construction with high energy efficiency standards that exceed the national energy code by at least 20%. 

In recent years, Housing NWT has delivered 13 solar and biomass alternative energy projects for public housing units throughout the NWT. With federal government support, we also plan on investing in two additional biomass district heating systems for public housing seniors’ facilities in Fort Simpson and Fort Providence.

Recognizing the importance of public engagement in the development of the Energy Management Strategy, in December 2022 Housing NWT will be releasing a draft Strategy and Blueprint for public review and comment. The feedback collected during this engagement process will guide the finalization of the Strategy and accompanying Blueprint, ensuring success in creating a realistic and effective approach to the energy management of Housing NWT units while contributing to healthy communities and smaller utility bills for residents.

Mr. Speaker, I look forward to the release of the Energy Management Strategy and Energy Blueprint, expected for April 2023. Housing NWT will continue to work closely with Indigenous governments, Indigenous organizations, community governments, the private and not-for-profit sectors, and our federal funding partners. As we address the territory’s housing crisis, we will ensure climate change impacts are considered in the development of public housing units, helping the territory transition to a lower carbon economy.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.