Thank you, Mr. Speaker, you caught me off guard. Mr. Speaker, in Hay River, and throughout the NWT, residents have been shocked by the high utility costs. Yes, utility costs. And food costs to date. This, along with other rising costs, is having a significant negative impact on one’s financial ability to meet everyday living expenses.
Mr. Speaker, residents of the Northwest Territories are deeply concerned as they see the cost of living rise and their spending power shrink. I am hearing it, and I am sure you are hearing it as well.
We all know of residents moving or considering moving out of the Northwest Territories due to the inflated cost of living.
With the loss of each resident, we are not only losing a per capita federal allocation of $34,716 annually, but considering problems of recruitment and retention we will also lose qualified individuals with skills and experience which will be difficult to replace.
Mr. Speaker, as with any decline in the economy, shock waves are felt long after the initial jolt, and what is being experienced postCOVID is further fueled by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. All is having a devastating affect on NWT residents’ ability to meet their financial obligations while trying to save for the future.
For some, it may result in the loss of a business, loss of a home, loss of one’s life savings, or not being able to place food on the table. If you are not living it, it is difficult to understand.
Mr. Speaker, we constantly hear government say there is limited resources available to financially assist residents beyond supports currently provided. This government and local governments are only adding fuel to the fire through increased taxes, increased business licence fees, increased utility costs, and increased service fees; All the while residents are hearing that other jurisdictions are finding ways to lessen the burden such as pausing collection of the fuel tax, offering rebates on electricity and fuel bills, suspending or lowering vehicle registration renewal and service fees, reduction of business licence fees, and other innovative solutions. It is solutions that residents are looking for from this government.
Mr. Speaker, residents need to know that we are here for them and that we are prepared to move forward with solutions that will lessen the impact of the rise in living costs.
When it comes to reducing the cost of living the question is what is this government prepared to do to keep residents in the Northwest Territories? Thank you Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Hay River South. Members' statements. Member for Great Slave.
