Debates of November 30, 2007 (day 6)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the cost of living in Lutselk’e are very high due to freight costs, no all-season road, cost of transportation, flight costs, the cost of gas for boating and snowmobiling back and forth, all translates a very high cost for food, and power costs in Lutselk’e is also very high. I would like to ask the Premier today if he would consider looking at appointing a Minister to be the point Minister for the cost of living, similar to a Minister of Youth and Seniors. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. The honourable Premier, Mr. Roland.

Return To Question 79-16(1): Cost Of Living Issues

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the area of cost of living is one that is important and affects communities in quite a number of ways through power generation, goods and services, and the high cost of housing. There are a whole number of areas that other departments do fall into. Part of their responsibility as we proceed, how they would address that, I am not sure if appointing a Minister responsible for that one that is across the boards. What I would offer up is a solution in the sense of Cabinet working together and a number of Ministers who may have more responsibility in those areas to sit down together and look at this initiative. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Beaulieu.

Supplementary To Question 79-16(1): Cost Of Living Issues

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Premier then develop a mandate for Cabinet to report, and report the mandate on the cost of living back to this Assembly?

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 79-16(1): Cost Of Living Issues

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, one of the problems we find is we have to look at some of the avenues that have been used by previous governments and if they’ve actually produced a result. Our goal would be how can we deal with this. Right now each department would have to come forward and make the reports to committee at business plan stages as well as in this forum. We can work as a Cabinet to look at a number of initiatives that may help in the long term, or try to find some short-term solutions. A lot of the problems we find, and as the Member has raised, is the cost of living, for example, in the food area. How do we impact that as a government when the private sector is providing that? There are some avenues that we can look at, but that’s more longer term as the cost of energy and doing business. So that’s something that we can work on. Developing a mandate and going forward may be more problematic as it would cover quite a broad spectrum in a number of departments. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Beaulieu.

Supplementary To Question 79-16(1): Cost Of Living Issues

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Premier consider putting the cost of living as a standing item on the Cabinet’s agenda?

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 79-16(1): Cost Of Living Issues

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’d be willing to look at doing that as we do from time to time. For example, if the Assembly highlights energy as a key piece -- we used to have that -- we can look at doing something of that nature, as well. As I said, I’m prepared to work as a committee, subcommittee structure to Cabinet on this issue, as well. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Final supplementary, Mr. Beaulieu.

Supplementary To Question 79-16(1): Cost Of Living Issues

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Premier also provide, should it become a standing item in Cabinet, can the Premier commit to providing regular updates to the Standing Committee on Social Programs on the cost of living? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 79-16(1): Cost Of Living Issues

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as we have done in the past, or the process that we can use going forward is, for example, around the business plan areas, having a number of Ministers present to the committees. The Social Programs committee can be one of those when we talk about this initiative that affects a number of departments and look at doing in that area, as well if there’s a request from any committee of any initiative that we would line up the appropriate Ministers or myself, as Premier, to make presentations with committees. So we’d be prepared to work out an arrangement. Thank you.