(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Health and Social Services. In the eastern Arctic, we all know that food prices are very high in the northern stores. The communities I represent get their food shipped by airlines and this has very much increased the costs of food in the stores of the three communities I represent. I would like to ask the Minister what differences there are in the food prices from southern companies. I would like to ask the Minister if she has looked into this to see if there is any difference between the food prices in the north and in the southern stores. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 387-12(7): Northern Versus Southern Food Costs
In the Legislative Assembly on April 3rd, 1995. See this topic in context.
Question 387-12(7): Northern Versus Southern Food Costs
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 773
Kenoayoak Pudlat Baffin South
Question 387-12(7): Northern Versus Southern Food Costs
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 773
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Minister of Health and Social Services, Madam Premier.
Return To Question 387-12(7): Northern Versus Southern Food Costs
Question 387-12(7): Northern Versus Southern Food Costs
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 773
Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput
Mr. Speaker, I can assure the Member without any hesitancy that the food prices in the southern stores are much different than the food prices in Arctic Canada and, in a lot of communities, substantially different. What the government tries to do overall, in terms of social assistance, is the cost of the food is calculated the best we can. I know it is not always as generous as people would like to see, but we try to take that into account. I believe more and more, this government is trying to determine the cost of living, from housing to food, general maintenance of homes and livelihood, and is trying to incorporate some fairness in terms of subsidies.
For example, in Pelly Bay, we have a subsidy because the only way foodstuffs get into the region are through air flights. Just recently, we've done some experiments and tried to bring the food in by barge. The other thing, too, that's available in a lot of the communities -- and we're trying to get an understanding of who is aware of it and who is using it -- is the food freight subsidy which is available to everybody, including stores. There's a subsidy for bringing in fresh food and some foodstuffs. I've asked recently whether that subsidy is being translated into lower costs at stores for individuals. This is not a big study with a consultant, I'm just asking those questions to get a breakdown. I will try to have more detail in a few days to see where we are with that. There are substantial differences and we recognize that, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.
Return To Question 387-12(7): Northern Versus Southern Food Costs
Question 387-12(7): Northern Versus Southern Food Costs
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 773
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Pudlat.
Supplementary To Question 387-12(7): Northern Versus Southern Food Costs
Question 387-12(7): Northern Versus Southern Food Costs
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 773
Kenoayoak Pudlat Baffin South
(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Supplementary to the same Minister. She indicated that she has put out a study as to what kind of differences there are in the food prices, and a lot of my constituents would like to see this study that has been done. Can the Minister indicate to the House whether she can give me the information that she said has been put out in that study? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Supplementary To Question 387-12(7): Northern Versus Southern Food Costs
Question 387-12(7): Northern Versus Southern Food Costs
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 773
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Ms. Cournoyea.
Further Return To Question 387-12(7): Northern Versus Southern Food Costs
Question 387-12(7): Northern Versus Southern Food Costs
Item 6: Oral Questions
April 2nd, 1995
Page 773
Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput
Mr. Speaker, I will provide for the Member the latest cost of living rates as soon as possible, perhaps later today or tomorrow. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 387-12(7): Northern Versus Southern Food Costs
Question 387-12(7): Northern Versus Southern Food Costs
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 773
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Lewis.