Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The rising price of propane is severely impacting my constituents and my community of Hay River. Many businesses and residents in Hay River converted to propane several years ago, at a time when the price of propane was advantageous. At the time, propane was not only abundant, reliable and cleaner than other fossil fuels, but it was also affordable.
Mr. Speaker, using Edmonton as a benchmark, the plant price for propane per cubic metre was $130 in January 2000. This January, however, that same cubic metre of propane was $346, an increase of 266 percent over one year. The price of propane is continuing to increase.
This price spike is accompanied by similar increases in other forms of fuel. It now costs more to drive our vehicles, heat our homes or businesses, ship our goods and deliver services.
This government has introduced subsidies for diesel fuel, for power and other fossil fuels, but not all rebate subsidies or other forms of relief have been adopted or considered for small businesses or residential users that rely on propane. The high cost of propane has a significant adverse impact on businesses and residents in my constituency in Hay River and in the North.
Mr. Speaker, it could be said that Hay River has a great advantage over other communities in the North when it comes to propane due to the fact that most of the town is connected by means of an underground piping system. I agree. We look forward to the day when we can access natural gas in our area. The conversion would be quite easy. This may help down the road in the future, Mr. Speaker, but at present, there is no indication that is about to take place in the near future.
Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time today, I will ask the Minister responsible regarding subsidies for propane users in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
-- Applause