Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. [English translation not provided.]
Mr. Speaker, on numerous occasions I’ve talked about the impact of the high cost of living for residents of Fort Resolution and Lutselk’e. Today I would like to focus on the high cost of food in the packets, supplements, store bought foods or traditional foods for Tu Nedhe communities.
Mr. Speaker, in small communities like Fort Resolution and Lutselk’e little or no competition in the local economy results in higher food costs. Couple this with transportation costs and Tu Nedhe families are hit with a double whammy. In addition to this, over the last year gasoline prices have gone up. This has had a huge impact on the traditional harvesting practices of many of my constituents. Residents are now forced to think twice about making a trip out on the land to go hunting.
Mr. Speaker, with the high price of gas and limited household incomes families must now make a decision to buy meat from the store or to go for a hunt. For many families doing both is no longer an option. Add to this the high costs of fuel for heating their homes and higher power rates and people are in a real catch-22 when they are trying to put food on their tables.
Many of my constituents rely on traditional foods and have done so for generations. High gas prices are now threatening this important traditional practice. Something needs to be done. Assistance in some form to offset the high price of the gas for these subsistence hunters must be provided. We all know the health benefits to the whole community when families are able to include traditional food as part of their regular diet.
Mr. Speaker, I cannot stress enough the impact that the high cost of living is having on the Tu Nedhe constituents. It is having an immediate and negative impact on the harvesting of traditional foods by subsistence hunters. With an aboriginal population of almost 90 per cent in Fort Resolution and 95 per cent in Lutselk’e traditional foods and traditional harvesting provide all kinds of benefits for many families. This is being threatened. Help is needed now.
Later today I will have questions for the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources.
Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. The honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Jacobson.
