Thank you, Madam Speaker. Cost of living in the for Canadians and residents of the Northwest Territories is going up. We see it all around us, the cost of electricity, global fuel prices rising, home heating fuel rising, consumer prices have all gone up. The cost of food inflation is going up everywhere, Madam Speaker. We know the cost of food is going up, especially the fruit, the vegetables, the baked goods, and the cereal. Madam Speaker, people in my riding can barely afford to pay for that. We have to rely on traditional means, hunting, to feed ourselves but the price of gas has gone up as well. Getting out on the land is becoming more expensive.
Electricity bills are going up. NTPC has put before the Public Utility Board the application to raise rates 5 percent over the next two years. Cost of fuel continues to go up. Inflation is at an alltime high.
We also know Nunakput communities face the lowest household income and personal income, the least opportunity for jobs in the territory. Madam Speaker, residents in Nunakput region can't pay for the highest cost of living. How much more can the residents afford?
I understand the federal government is forcing our government's hand on this tax but the GNWT protecting the residents in the High Arctic. Residents in my riding are having to pay the price of carbon tax. There has to be a way that the GNWT can draw a line to stop rising cost for the residents in Nunakput in a tiered system. We are already dealing with the high impact of climate change, the most sea ice changing, weather impacting our hunting. We shouldn't have to pay carbon tax for that, Madam Speaker. I will have questions for the Minister at the appropriate time. Thank you.
Thank you, Member. Members' statements. Member for Kam Lake.
