Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In January 2009 the consumer price index for Yellowknife was released. It showed that the overall cost of goods increased by 2.7 percent compared to a year ago. This increase was due primarily to the high price of food, which rose by 9.6 percent from January 2008. These statistics reflect the cost of goods in Yellowknife only and do not measure the increased cost of goods in our smaller and more isolated communities. In 2008, for example, food prices in the Sahtu region were almost double the prices in Yellowknife.

Reducing the cost of living is something that we as Members of the Legislative Assembly have identified as one of our key priorities. The government has established that reducing the cost of living is a strategic initiative and have introduced a number of actions aimed at addressing these high costs. In the long term these actions will help to address the cost of living. Right now people are dealing with the increases of their electricity bills, higher prices for food and other essential items, at a time when the NWT is being impacted by global economy turmoil in which there are fewer job opportunities. People are struggling to make ends meet. They need some relief as soon as possible.

We have talked about these issues for many years. It’s time to take some real action. I urge the government to review its approach to reducing the cost of living and bring forward a concrete plan that will address the high cost of food and other essential items for people in smaller and remote communities sooner rather than later.