Mr. Speaker, in the small communities there are many people who are economically challenged and, therefore, end up depending on government to make ends meet for themselves and their families. Government agencies, especially the Department of Health and Social Services, periodically determine what a family might require for the basics and then use these figures to assist their clients. However, there are cost differences in larger, more accessible centres such as Yellowknife, and then there are smaller rural communities in which these differences are dealt with by private and public sectors. For example, one might expect higher wages, higher isolated post allowances and subsidized housing allowances, but that’s only if one is employable.
I wish to explain this a little with a real situation regarding community economics. It was only in recent years that Statistics Canada began studying aboriginal communities, and we are glad that they are doing so. Population figures are used to determine per capita allocation by both federal and territorial governments. The cost-of-living indexes are used to adjust earnings as well as issuing assistance for those who need it.
But these indexes still do not reflect the real costs associated with the smaller communities, which in reality fluctuate during the year. Fall and spring costs are usually higher because of the air transportation in some communities; they have to fly everything in. It is not an unusual sight to see a community person walk out of the store with one or two shopping bags, and with the same amount of money one would see someone else, say in Yellowknife, walking out of the store with 20 bags.
They’re resourceful people, and they are out supplementing their meagre earnings by harvesting country foods.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
Unanimous consent granted.
Foods from the land: caribou, moose, fish, ducks and berries.
Then, again, they are faced with the increasing cost of fuel — $1.64 a litre in the community of Tuk. Equipment such as boats, motors, sleds, et cetera, is getting more expensive. They are good harvesters but just can’t afford to go out on the land.
My generation is in some ways very fortunate. We have access to training, instant communications and many other benefits of modern society. It’s the situation of the older generation and single-parent families that worries us. Do they have enough to make ends meet? Do they feel safe and comfortable? Can they expect a more secure future? The common scenario is to see a person on social assistance or on an old age pension with empty cupboards the second week of every month.
Also becoming common, I know, are several homeless people in the community. It’s sad and ironic that it has come to this — homelessness in our own homeland. Sure there are housing association committees set up to study these situations, but there are still people who have barely enough to eat and others who have no place to call home.
Mr. Speaker, I’ll have questions for the appropriate Minister at the time. Thank you, colleagues.
