Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In early October 2013, Stats Canada released information that clearly showed that food prices rose by over 5 percent since the opening of the Deh Cho Bridge. In fact, in the last 10 months since the bridge opened, six out of those seven months saw steady increases in food prices.
It was only September that Stats Can showed food prices with a slight decrease of 2.3 percent. Many of us are scratching our heads why, not one anomaly and a sudden drop of the pattern.
Clearly, this pattern of activity raises concern on the exact impact the bridge has on commodity prices for Yellowknifers’ basic needs. My questions today are for the Minister of Transportation. We were continuously reminded by the previous Minister and the Department of Transportation that the bridge would have minimal effect on such thing as food prices.
Can the new Minister guarantee the department’s statement is indeed accurate today? Thank you.