Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I was happy to hear the Minister of ITI's statement earlier today. It was definitely some good news. However, Mr. Speaker, an article in the newspaper last week held some news that should trouble us all. Statistics Canada numbers show that, last month, the number of people employed in the NWT was at its lowest rate since 2010. The article indicates that, between last December and January, employment dropped by 700 people across the territory.
I know I'm sounding like a doom-and-gloom broken record, Mr. Speaker, but these discouraging numbers can be attributed to mine closures and corporate offices leaving the North: Imperial Oil planning to leave Norman Wells; Dominion Diamonds and De Beers have relocated to Calgary; layoffs at Diavik. Interestingly the chamber of commerce found during its membership drive last month that almost every business that cancelled its membership did so because it was leaving Yellowknife.
At the same time, Mr. Speaker, the Chamber of Mines announced that mining revenues have fallen in the NWT, and exploration activity continues to be flat.
Companies need to find economical ways to do business, Mr. Speaker. The situation begs for solutions. Not that we can wave a magic wand to fix these problems, but the government needs to send clear signals that we are addressing the high cost of doing business in the territory. That high cost remains a barrier to the economic investment that we need to bring jobs back.
In our mandate, we made a commitment to lower the cost of living, but, instead, the average Northerner's dollar is shrinking by the week, Mr. Speaker. We have faced six straight years of rising power rates. If approved, an airport user fee will drive up the costs of everything. We're paying more at the pumps and in grocery stores because of Alberta's carbon tax, and we know that we're going to phase in our own carbon tax regime at some point. People work two or even three jobs just to be able to cover the basics, Mr. Speaker. My honourable colleague from Yellowknife Centre spoke exactly to this challenge earlier with regard to the living wage. The average person's dollar is getting stretched ever tighter, making it harder and harder for families to invest, save, and build upon their future, much less their kids' future. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Unanimous consent granted