Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The cost of living in our small communities has been brought up to this government before and here we are again talking about the high cost of food, fuel and community services. My community of Tsiigehtchic recently experienced a huge increase in the price of fuel. One litre of gas costs $2.01, which rose 9 cents. Heating fuel is $1.92. Petrol is 19 cents. Also, diesel fuel is $2.05 per litre.
Our constituents want to know why there is such a huge increase in fuel costs for Tsiigehtchic. They are concerned that this increase will affect many of our residents in terms of hunting, fishing and gathering for their livelihoods because they need fuel to go out in their boats, vehicles, snowmobiles and also to heat their homes.
Many of our elders are very active. They still go out hauling wood, hunting and travelling to their camps for traditional living. The high cost of gasoline and other fuels will surely affect their way of living. Our elders have a pension that they live on and use sparingly for one month at a time. If they choose to go out on the land, this added cost will prevent them from continuing their healthy living lifestyle. This also goes for the rest of our community members. We are asking ourselves, how can we continue this lifestyle when the cost of gas is so high? If we want to show our youth hunting, fishing and gathering skills, we need the means to go out on the land.
As leaders, we need to work together to find a lasting solution, whether it is barging in gas and fuel instead of trucking. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Blake. The Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.
