The cost of fuel is one that this government has taken immediate action on to lower the cost of living in the communities served by the Petroleum Products Division. The Minister of Public Works and Services announced on Tuesday that, effective February 5, the price of home heating oil was reduced by $0.09 a litre in Paulatuk, $0.07 a litre in Sachs Harbour, and $0.08 a litre in Ulukhaktok. With this reduction, heating oil prices in these communities have been reduced by approximately 20 per cent over the last year. We recognize that the cost of heating fuel and gasoline in our smaller communities is a great concern to residents. It was also announced by the Minister of Public Works and Services on Tuesday that the department will be closely monitoring the prices of fuel that is delivered over the coming months and passing any further reductions onto residents as soon as possible. The reductions in the gas prices have been a little less. They've been five per cent over the last year, but if the current prices remain, then we should be able to pass those savings on to the community residents as well. For the members of other communities, Tuktoyaktuk is considered a market community; the Petroleum Products Division does not operate in the community of Tuktoyaktuk. Through the NWT Housing Corporation, our home heating costs for public housing are subsidized at about $9 million a year, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources provides funding through the Community Harvesters Assistance Program, funds that can be used to offset the fuel costs for harvesters.
Robert C. McLeod on Question 113-18(2): Cost Of Living In Nunakput
In the Legislative Assembly on March 3rd, 2016. See this statement in context.
Question 113-18(2): Cost Of Living In Nunakput
Oral Questions
March 2nd, 2016
See context to find out what was said next.