Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Several weeks ago, I was informed by members of the public that alcohol prices for bars and restaurants had significantly increased. The changes the government made has caused a nearly 20 percent increase in the cost of some products to our hospitality sector in a single day. This increase in costs would have made it nearly impossible for our hospitality sector to survive without passing along increased price to consumers.

Now, Mr. Speaker, a discount program has been authorized, and the cost to northern businesses has been reduced somewhat, but this did not occur until the public and Regular Members created substantial pushback. I, like many members of the public, are extremely disappointed with what has happened, and I have asked for the Minister to review the price formula to ensure that fair market principles apply to our liquor wholesaling system.

Let me be clear, Mr. Speaker. This issue is not about cheap alcohol. It's about mitigating toxic pricing for our hospitality industry, protecting jobs and northern businesses. I do not believe that these price increases were brought on wholly by the federal excise tax and transportation costs, as has been claimed. These were factors, certainly, but, if that were true, the prices would have increased equally in all parts of the country, and that has not happened. The price structure that currently exists in the Northwest Territories needs to be rebalanced to ensure fair market access. This should have been done ahead of any changes, to avoid the exact situation licensees found themselves in on April 1^st.

The most concerning part about this whole debacle is that there was very little communication from the liquor commission to licence holders. I would wonder how, moving forward, we might avoid another confusing and stumbling roll-out of program changes.

In a time where Alberta and British Columbia have also loosened central control over retail liquor sales, Ontario, the largest government-owned liquor system in Canada, is well on its way to hand off its system to the private sector. I believe now is the time for the GNWT to re-evaluate its role and its hold on alcohol sales. The Minister has committed to a pricing review, but we must now take this opportunity to go beyond and make positive changes to our antiquated liquor-control system while empowering Northerners to make healthy choices and embrace our inherent personal freedom to consume alcohol safely and responsibly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.