Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Inflation is at a three-year low. Why? Because of cheaper gas prices across Canada, everywhere but the Northwest Territories. The Canadian Consumer Price Index is saying that it is at its lowest since 2009 in January. Why? Because of gasoline prices, yet again everywhere but the NWT.
I visited the fuel pumps this week, like many Northerners, and we all continue to experience the high prices of gasoline here in the Northwest Territories. Since raising this issue almost four weeks ago, Northerners keep telling me that they feel like they’re at the mercy of the local market controlling the gas prices, which are truly not reflective of what should be considered fair market price. Northerners, like all Canadians, are willing to pay their fair share, but are Northerners being taken advantage of?
I’m not a fan of needless, useless, continuous government regulation, but we need, maybe, regulation in this particular case to ensure that Northerners are protected and are defended from price poaching.
Gas prices in Saskatchewan dropped almost nine cents. Almost 7.5 cents they were lower in Alberta and that led the country. They’re dropping everywhere but the Northwest Territories. How much longer do the people of the Northwest Territories have to be held victim or hostage to gas poaching?
In short, we need consumer protection that speaks for Northerners, that protects, Northerners because we cannot allow this any further. I again stress that regulation may be the answer and it’s important that the government steps to the plate, leads by example, and shows that they are interested in protecting Northerners. If they are not, who knows who is, because I can tell you that gas sellers are not.
