Question 205-12(7): Increase To Gasoline Tax

In the Legislative Assembly on March 1st, 1995. See this topic in context.

Question 205-12(7): Increase To Gasoline Tax
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 379

Kenoayoak Pudlat Baffin South

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Finance. Here in the north inflation continues to rise, prices continue to increase. Mr. Speaker, now we are aware that gasoline prices are going up. This is very important to the easterners who don't have other ways of transportation and depend on gasoline. With the price increase along with the rental increases becoming effective April 1st, it seems that the federal government is out to get the people in the north.

Mr. Speaker, it was through the federal government that the communities in the north were eventually organized and formed. But it seems to me that inflation is never-ending and forever increasing. My question to the Minister of Finance is concerning inflation and cutbacks. Are these cutbacks and inflation rates set by the federal government or do you also decide in making the cutbacks and inflation rates go up? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 205-12(7): Increase To Gasoline Tax
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 380

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Finance, Mr. Pollard.

Return To Question 205-12(7): Increase To Gasoline Tax
Question 205-12(7): Increase To Gasoline Tax
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 380

John Pollard Hay River

Mr. Speaker, with the increase in gasoline taxes, that was put on by the federal government. We had no input or decision-making process whereby we had input into that. So we cannot take the credit or the blame for that, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, increases in prices such as that -- increases in the cost of airline tickets, the increase in the cost of doing business in the Northwest Territories, any cost increases -- those things fuel inflation. Although inflation across Canada has been relatively modest for the last few years, it is those kinds of price increases that do fuel inflation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Question 205-12(7): Increase To Gasoline Tax
Question 205-12(7): Increase To Gasoline Tax
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 380

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Pudlat.

Supplementary To Question 205-12(7): Increase To
Question 205-12(7): Increase To Gasoline Tax
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 380

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Gasoline Tax

Supplementary To Question 205-12(7): Increase To
Question 205-12(7): Increase To Gasoline Tax
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 380

Kenoayoak Pudlat Baffin South

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For those of us who live in the smaller isolated communities, there is very little income and there is very little means of transportation. Unless you use barges to supply the communities, this is going to be a concern. When do you figure the gasoline prices will go up? We need the gasoline for transportation and it is difficult for people, as it is, to obtain gasoline. So when will these gasoline rates increase, Mr. Speaker?

Supplementary To Question 205-12(7): Increase To
Question 205-12(7): Increase To Gasoline Tax
Item 6: Oral Questions

February 28th, 1995

Page 380

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Pollard.

Further Return To Question 205-12(7): Increase To Gasoline Tax
Question 205-12(7): Increase To Gasoline Tax
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 380

John Pollard Hay River

Mr. Speaker, the effective date of the increase by the federal government on the gasoline tax was February 28th of this year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 205-12(7): Increase To Gasoline Tax
Question 205-12(7): Increase To Gasoline Tax
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 380

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Patterson.