Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I mentioned in my Member's statement, residents of the Northwest Territories wanted to hear the budget speech to see what impact it would have on the residents in the Northwest Territories. One cannot say that more money into the pockets of residents throughout Canada and the Northwest Territories is a bad thing.
The fact is, for example, in my community alone the cost of a two litre container of milk when the ice crossings are closed is $7.00. The price of gas in Inuvik is now 95 cents per litre.
Mr. Speaker, when talking of the benefits we will receive from the changes in the tax policy of the federal government, those impacts, and the $400 per year that a low income family might receive in the Northwest Territories, does not cover the costs of increases. That is why I question, in the area of the northern residents deduction as well, because that is the tax side of things that can benefit all residents.
But back to the basic message of the budget speech, our Member of Parliament, the Honourable Ethel Blondin-Andrew, stated on Northbeat that there should be transfer payments to the North of approximately $100 million. Can the Finance Minister tell us how that will impact us in the Northwest Territories? Thank you.