Richard Edjericon

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I want to talk about mental health challenges in communities that I represent.

Recently, I have learned of several major sorry, there are several very serious medical incidents arising from chronic mental health conditions in my constituent communities. These tragic circumstances have serious impacts on the community that extend beyond one individual.

Our Indigenous people, our communities, are tightknit and compassionate. We support each other through the best and worst times. We also suffer together. The legacy of colonialism and genocide have left...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you to the Minister. My next and final question will be what can we do this fiscal year to help reduce the fuel prices for the community of Lutselk'e? We just don't want to have another price increase midway through or three quarters of this next fiscal year. So normally when these fuel prices go to tender, it's all inclusive. But then this year, it increased. So I want to know what we could do for next year so that the community's not caught off guard again for another fuel increase increases of fuel prices. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister explain why increases for community government customers, social assistance and senior heating subsidy has increased more than for nonprofit customers? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this spring the Department of Infrastructure has changed the pricing for heating fuel, diesel, gasoline and naphtha. Since last month, our communities have seen increases between 4 and 48 percent for heating fuel alone. And diesel price increase between 6 to 41 percent depending on the community. And gasoline saw prices go up between 5 to 33 percent.

The Department of Infrastructure website provides a table of fuel prices by community. Effective May 16, 2022, the price for a litre of gas can be as high as $2.40, the price at Colville Lake, or as low as $1.77...

For.

Mr. Speaker, I support this motion. Just hang on.

There was feedback. Sorry about that, Mr. Speaker.

I just want to say in speaking to the motion that the issues that I've been raising the last little while has really hit home, and I've been dealing with everything from mental health issues to suicide to medical travel. And the things that really makes me think is that, you know, a lot of this stuff could be easily fixed if we went back and take a look at some of the policies that are in place that are prohibiting some of these problems we're having in the community. I think it's an easy fix if...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you to the Minister. Can the Minister explain why this increase was necessary despite the existence of the fuel service division revolving fund? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm not sure, I got your message there that you didn't get my comments clear as when I was reading it out so I do apologize for the bad internet services here in the community of N'dilo and my other constituent riding of Lutselk'e.

Mr. Speaker, the fuel service division buys fuel once a year and stores it in the tanks throughout the Northwest Territories. Each summer, the division resupplies its fuel storage. Why are customers being charged more in April and May in the community of Lutselk'e when the prices for the Government of the Northwest Territories has not been...

In agreement.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you for your comments and your ruling. At this point, Mr. Speaker, I represent my community, and I've listened to a lot of people speak and the issue that's in front of us that we're talking about is near and dear to a lot of people in my constituency and at this point, Mr. Speaker I could talk a little bit more about the issue but at this point I am not able to apologize. Thank you.