Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, to begin, I would like to welcome back my colleagues to the latest session of the new year. I would also like to give a special warm welcome to our newest colleague, the Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. I look forward to working along side our new colleague.
Mr. Speaker, for my statement topic today, I want to talk about the economy recovery for the NWT. We've begun to see more and more that our government is shifting away from a pandemic response and is beginning to treat COVID-19 with an endemic response. We likely will not ever see COVID-19 eradicated; therefore, we must adjust our daily lives and start living with it in a different way than we have with public emergencies and lockdowns as we had in the last two years.
Mr. Speaker, for these reasons, it is now more important than ever that our government also begins to shift its approach in dealing with our economy. Right now the overall state of the NWT economy is not positioned for long-term growth or stability. There are many economic uncertainties that are presenting tremendous challenges for average NWT residents. For example, Statistics Canada reported last week that the national inflation rate has reached a 31-year high with an increase of 5.1 percent since January 2021. Similarly, the NWT Bureau of Statistics reported last week that all items consumer price index for Yellowknife rose 4 percent compared to one year ago.
Mr. Speaker, these figures represent a substantial increase of nearly all consumer goods across the board. Overall, food from stores increased by 4.2 percent; however, certain items went up more. Meat increased by 7 percent. Fish and seafood increased by 6 percent. Furthermore, shelter costs have gone up by 2.8 percent. Water, fuel, and electricity has increased by 11.3 percent, and the price of gasoline increased by 24.7 percent. People's purchasing power is much weaker than it was a year ago. People are having difficulties making ends meet.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
In addition, Mr. Speaker, the NWT is facing a population crisis. According to the 2021 Census data, the NWT is only one of two provinces and territories facing a decline in population. We have 716 less people in the NWT than five years ago. Only 10 out of 33 of our communities had an increase in population compared to 2016.
In closing, Mr. Speaker, it is extremely important that our government initiate a renewed effort towards accomplishing the priorities of the 19th Assembly. This pandemic has set back the fulfillment of many of our priorities; however, that does not mean we give up trying and get them done. We need to continue settling and implementing Treaties and self-government agreements. We must continue pursuing the completion of the Mackenzie Valley Highway, the Slave Geological Corridor, and the Taltson Hydro Expansion. We must continue to increase resource exploration and development and to reduce cost of power and increase the use of renewable energy. I will have questions for the ITI minister later today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.