Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Prices at the pumps, Mr. Speaker. Who is protecting the public’s interests? The government can no longer stand idly by on this particular issue, so let me finally say, government, welcome to the file.
While prices continue to ratchet up, they move down like molasses in the winter, and as we all know, most of them tend to be frozen like our winter. The cost of living is a burden on everyday Northerners. It’s well beyond the tipping point, as we’re all well aware. So where is the McLeod government when it comes to monitoring and protecting the public’s interest on this problem?
If you ask anyone out there, they will all agree a 50 percent margin is a huge disparity between the fuel prices in Edmonton and in Yellowknife. It’s well beyond fair. We all know for a fact it costs a lot less than that to bring that fuel to the northern pumps. We also further know that everybody understands that a profit is okay, but it’s about a fair profit, and who’s protecting the public’s interest.
At the same time, there is recognition for higher costs, but at what cost? It really comes down to this: What is fair, is the consumer being held hostage, and is the government on the side of big oil or the NWT residents?
But all is not lost. There’s always opportunity in every single problem. This McLeod government could do something today besides the status quo on this file. Like other provinces who have taken the lead, like New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, they mitigate the impacts and certainly the fluctuation between gas prices, and they regulate and control and protect their citizens in their jurisdictions. New Brunswick does not set a minimum price, so they allow competition to flourish, and they don’t discourage that. But they also keep in mind and they moderate a top price to ensure that their citizens are not taken advantage of.
To a certain extent, the Government of the Northwest Territories already does this through the petroleum products division. They already know how to regulate and protect consumers. Why is it such a challenge to watch our northern citizens be taken advantage of? The formula they use establishes and promotes fairness, consumer protection and stability within that province. It might not be perfect, but it’s better than doing nothing.
Information is easy to understand and the consumers are happy. Northerners work hard for their paycheques. Again, the other question that remains is: Will this government do something or stand idly by? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The Member for Deh Cho, Mr. Nadli.
