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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Yellowknife and small-community concerns clashed in the legislative assembly on Tuesday, when a motion was passed to recommend a tiered vehicle registration system based upon vehicle emission standards.

Great Slave MLA Glen Abernethy tabled a motion calling for the system, which he said would encourage residents to purchase more fuel-efficient vehicles.

"This proposal is an opportunity for the NWT to be a leader in regulating vehicles to support the immediate need for climate change mitigation," said Abernethy.

The motion calls for the government to charge lower registration fees to drivers who own vehicles that consume less gasoline.

Abernethy said this would benefit all residents of the territory by giving them an incentive to make environmentally responsible choices, with the federal government's ecoAUTO Rebate Program - which offers up to $2,000 to consumers who purchase or lease vehicles which meet certain fuel-efficiency criteria - set to expire Dec. 31.

It would also help the GNWT reach their target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 10 per cent from 2001 to 2011, he said.

Abernethy said the federal government is currently drafting a regulation to standardize motor vehicle fuel consumption for light trucks and cars, which calls for gas consumption to be fixed at 6.7 litres per 100 km or less for every vehicle.

Abernethy said his motion would help Northerners more easily adapt to the proposed federal legislation, poised for implementation in 2011.

MLAs who represent smaller communities with shoddier or seasonal roads said their constituents rely on big vehicles and would not benefit at all from the tiered registration system.

David Krutko, MLA for Mackenzie Delta, flat out rejected the motion, saying residents of small communities don't have a choice between fuel-efficient small cars and trucks because they "don't have the luxury of driving on paved roads."

He suggested the government target diamond mine trucks, which do more polluting.

"I think it's important to realize we have some bigger polluters out there than little Joe and Mary trying to run up the hills to get a load of wood," he said.

MLAs were also concerned that while residents in urban centres like Yellowknife could see a decrease to their cost of living, residents in smaller communities may experience an increase.

Brent Stevens, general manager of Kingland Ford, said pickup trucks - which generally burn more fuel than cars, due to their weight - were better-suited to the way of life in communities.

"In the communities, the pickup truck works really, really well," he said, explaining that people load them with wood, Ski-Doos and ATVs.

He said pick-ups were safer for winter-road drivers - who depend on getting out of the community during the six-week season - because they have higher ground clearances, allowing drivers to clear big dips coming on and off ice road portages.

Stevens said he rarely sells cars to clients from communities, but added over the last year there has been a shift in the dealership's sport utility vehicle sales - from larger to smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles.

"Everybody is aware of fuel economy," said Stevens.

Initial vehicle registrations can cost up to $102.60, with the annual registration renewal costing $72.60.

Stevens wondered how much of an incentive the tiered system would provide, with registration costs being relatively low.

Yellowknife MLAs unanimously supported the motion, including hybrid owner Robert Hawkins, who said the motion would not penalize existing vehicles in the NWT. He claimed it would merely encourage citizens to make a greener choice.

According to the Transportation Minister Michael McLeod, the department is looking at numerous options for the NWT vehicle registration system, including a tiered system.

The motion passed with six MLAs in support, including all five from Yellowknife and Hay River South MLA Jane Groenewegen.

Four MLAs were opposed, and all members of cabinet abstained.

The motion, in spite of all the debate in the house, recommends cabinet implement a tiered vehicle registration system where fees are based on fuel-efficiency ratings. The new system is not slated for implementation until late 2009 or 2010.

"We're getting them while they're in the design phase," said Abernethy.