Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have received and reviewed the information about the recent federal budget. I'm especially concerned about the financial impact on the average citizen in the Northwest Territories. From the information and analysis that I have seen, the major impact will be on the middle-class citizen, those who own vehicles, travel by air and live around Great Slave Lake.
The most notable impact -- and my colleague from Iqaluit mentioned it already -- will be on the pocketbooks of most residents who drive or purchase gasoline and that's because of the increase in gas prices. The federal excise tax on gasoline was increased by 1.5 cents per litre. Add to this the Government of the Northwest Territories gasoline tax of 17 per cent for another 0.255 cents a litre and, on top of that, GST of seven per cent for 0.123 cents a litre, and we have an increase of approximately 1.9 cents per litre of gasoline.
The price of aviation gasoline will also increase similarly. This means that probably all transportation company rates -- the trucking industry, airline industry, and taxi industry -- will increase to cover these fuel increases. The customer pays. The air transportation tax will also be increased by 10 per cent as of March 31, 1995. The maximum tax rate now imposed on all air travel will increase from $50 to $55 per ticket. This increase will impact northerners much more than other Canadians because of our heavy reliance on air travel. In many of our communities, people have no choice but to travel by air. This is another direct hit on the customer's pocketbook.
The other tax, called the public utilities income tax transfer, will be eliminated effective April 1, 1995.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to continue my statement.