(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Premier. As we are well aware, prices in the High Arctic communities of the NWT are much higher than those of southern Canada. The Premier stated last year he would review this problem of the high cost of food in the communities. Can the Premier tell me what he has found out regarding his review? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I looked into some of the prices the Baffin and in the Keewatin and some prices from the Natilikmiot area. I will be noting how much the prices are in those regions. This is to show what the prices are in the communities.

Prices of Powdered Enfalac (400g) Prices do not include GST

Community

Northern Store

Co-op

Arctic Bay

$12.99

$13.99

Arviat

$12.95

$12.95

Cambridge Bay

$15.39

$15.39

Clyde River

$16.29

Grise Fiord

$14.99

Hall Beach

$15.95

Igloolik

$17.22

$17.22

Kimmirt

$16.89

Pangnirtung

$16.64

$15.59

Pelly Bay

$14.99

Pond Inlet

$11.69

$11.99

Rankin Inlet

$13.92

$13.00

Repulse Bay

$16.59

$18.04

Resolute Bay

$12.95

Sanikiluaq

Yellowknife

Extra Foods

$6.12

Those are the rates I looked into. I am talking about this because I think it is important that we know this issue. Mr. Speaker, I will be directing my question on this matter to the Premier later on today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, I raise concern about the price of food in the High Arctic communities. This has been a continuing problem for northern residents living in isolated areas where supplies must be flown into the communities. Mr. Speaker, I would like to use enfalac as an example. Enfalac is a very important part of the diet for many; they need it in order to grow strong and healthy. In Igloolik, the price of a 400 grams can of powdered enfalac is $17.22. The lowest cost of Enfalac in a remote northern community is in Arviat and that cost is $12.95. However, in Yellowknife, the same 400 grams can is a mere $6.12. The cost in remote communities is more than double the price.

High prices in the Arctic are not a new problem. I raised this issue on February 10, 1997 but still have not received a response from the Premier. The government must realize this is a problem. It was recently announced that it would adjust the food allowance rates within the Income Support Program, but this does nothing to ease the hardship faced by people who are not on this program and are struggling. As I stated in my Member's statement last year, for residents trying to live a traditional Inuit lifestyle, this is quite difficult because prices of food in the NWT increase frequently. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to complete my statement. (Translation ends)

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question will be directed to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Radio communication is an important medium in any community. It provides news, weather and entertainment to residents. However, Hall Beach has been without radio communication and has been for sometime now. Can the Minster tell me if this problem can be rectified in the near future? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

(Translation) I strongly feel it is not right that these people do not know anything about their possible contravention. Can the Minister make sure that the Inuit will be educated about how this will affect so many of them? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Supplementary, Mr. Speaker. We were informed that certain sections of the law will not be applied to northerners. I have a strong sense that community people prefer to have their own laws and regulations concerning their own gun control procedures. Is this law applied uniformly across Canada or does this law apply only to hunters who own guns? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Justice. Yesterday, in my Member's statement, I referred to the introduction of the controversial gun control law that was legislated last January, 1997. I was of the understanding that this gun control legislation would not affect northerners whose main subsistence is derived from hunting, trapping and fishing activities. On the other hand, it is federal legislation. I am requesting information as to what has progressed since that time. Can the Minister explain what sections, if not all of the legislation, is applied to northerners? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. They feel this is not adequate because CBC is a nationwide program and the residents of Hall Beach cannot receive it.

What Hall Beach needs is a qualified technician to repair and install the radio system. This major work needs to be completed in order to have radio communications of any sort. Mr. Speaker, I will be directing my questions to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment regarding this problem later today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

--Applause

(Translation). Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my concern about the communication system in Hall Beach. For some time now, the community of Hall Beach has been experiencing problems with the local radio system and also problems with receiving CBC Radio in the community.

In remote communities, local radio and CBC Radio are the only types of communication that one has. There is no variety of radio stations in the north, regardless if it is local or CBC, the community should be able to have the one small comfort of the local news. Weather information is very important to residents in the Arctic, as it determines whether or not one can go hunting, camping or fishing. Not having this information could be very dangerous.

I understand CBC is under the direction of the CRTC, which is the federal government's responsibility. However, it concerns me that Hall Beach has not had CBC Radio since December, 1997. These transmissions are out of Iqaluit and Rankin Inlet, not from the far south. A technician had come to the community to replace the old equipment with new equipment but they experienced problems with it. The technician indicated he was waiting for a FM receiver but, to date, no receiver has arrived in Hall Beach.

The Mayor of Hall Beach asked the technician to inform him prior to his departure so he could repair the old system for use while they waited for the new equipment, but the technician did not do so. Therefore, some of the local people tried to put the old system back together, but as they are not qualified technicians, they could not repair it. The hamlet council of Hall Beach passed a motion in order to have some resolution to this ongoing problem. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement. (Translation ends)