Mr. Speaker, mahsi. (English not provided)
Mr. Speaker, we have recently seen a huge increase in the price we pay for fuel. Indications are that prices will continue to rise in the future. This situation is causing difficulties for people in the North no matter where they live. However, Mr. Speaker, I am very concerned that the rise in fuel prices is causing additional hardships for certain residents of the Northwest Territories, but not for all. I am referring to those people who live in smaller communities where electrical power is supplied by diesel fuel generators. These people will soon be bearing an extra burden not shared by everyone. Not only will they have to pay more for gasoline and heating fuel, but they will also have to pay more for electricity too.
This situation is especially serious for elders and other people on a fixed income. Already, power rates in smaller communities are substantially higher than here in Yellowknife. In my riding of Nahendeh, people are paying anywhere between 340 to 820 percent more than people in Yellowknife pay for their electricity. The Northwest Territories is the only jurisdiction in Canada where residents are asked to pay different rates for their power. Everywhere else, people pay one rate whether they live in the North or South, urban or rural areas, in small communities or in large. They are not penalized for choosing to live in certain areas.
Mr. Speaker, I was to go on record today as supporting the single price zone for power rates in the Northwest Territories where everyone pays the same rates. We have to wonder when we look at the rest of the country and see that we are out of step with everyone else, especially we have to wonder when the approach we are taking affects our citizens so disproportionately. Something is very wrong, Mr. Speaker. We have to change the way we are doing business, otherwise we may soon have a crisis on our hands. Mr. Speaker, I will be asking the Minister responsible, during question period, for some thought of what our government is planning to do. Mahsi.
---Applause