Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to make a statement today on the feedback I have been receiving from my constituents on the recently announced fuel rebate. Mr. Speaker, we all know that there is never enough money in government to go around for everyone's needs. For that reason, we were very grateful to hear that the government is going to put some money back into our pockets to help us deal with the rising fuel costs. So for those who are eligible to receive this assistance, this is very good news.

However, the question is how many people would actually be eligible for this assistance and I can advise you, Mr. Speaker, that on the basis of a cut-off at the combined household income of $72,500, almost no one from my riding of Range Lake would qualify for this rebate. This income cut-off basically nullifies any benefit that could come from it, because most families could not afford a mortgage for Yellowknife houses at that combined income.

This is unfair criteria because we all pay for the high cost of fuel, at the pumps as well as heating fuel. This does not depend on how much money we make. Mr. Speaker, Yellowknifers should not be penalized over and over again for the high housing prices in our city. We pay high housing prices and high fuel prices like everyone else, so we should all have a share of the rebate.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the Minister of Finance has great pressure on him for his use of the government dollar, but I would urge the Minster to reconsider the cut-off income level of this rebate so as to open the room a little wider for average income families in Yellowknife.

At the same time, I would request that the Minister consider dropping the rate of Northwest Territories fuel tax by a minimal amount to ease the cost at the pumps. This would benefit every user fairly and equally, whether they be business or resident consumers.

Another option may be to consider an across-the-board tax credit so that every resident in the Northwest Territories who pays taxes and consumes fuel can receive badly needed relief. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause