Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is never too late for this McLeod government to be reminded about what is truly important. Even when they pay little attention to whatever advice Regular Members offer to share, I continue, once again, to feel the need to remind this government about the great crisis of our time.
The crisis I speak of is affordability. It’s known by many names, all of equal value, but whatever name you choose to use, it is always the same problem to the same families.
If you can’t afford to live, there are very few – ridiculously few – options for people to turn towards. The cost of living is the millstone carried by the everyday family. Unfortunately, it’s not viewed that way by this government. Unfortunately, it continues to weigh heavier on those families trying to get by each and every day.
As the bricks continue to pile up, respite is far from in sight. While we all know that it’s not easy for this government to sit on their perch of power and it’s a job that only can be done by a very few, but we on the ground can see the results. We see the poverty; we see the families struggling, trying to get ahead. So, as we watch the cost of living continue to grow for the everyday family, why isn’t this the primary call to duty by this government to fight this particular crisis?
Families are leaving the North every day, not because of the lack of work, in many cases, but it is because they can’t find affordable work. They can’t find housing they can afford to rent. They can’t afford to pay their power bills. These are burdens that stop the everyday family from getting ahead. Families work because they need to afford to go to work. That is the crisis.
Our Bureau of Stats, which I am very thankful for and am often surprised that they still exist considering how many times I thank them, this
government has the facts before them. Workforce participation numbers shrink, our unemployment rates increase, unemployment rates decrease, numbers speak for themselves. The government has all the information. Our population continues to leave because of the times and the problems before us.
If it weren’t for our birthrates, that are actually quite notable in consideration to other places in Canada, our population would be a tragedy in itself.
The cost of living must be fought and it must be a call to duty by this government. Thank you.