Minister announces fuel price increase for Nunavut
Maria Canton
Northern News Services
Iqaluit (Oct 30/00) - After watching months of international protests over soaring fuel prices, the people of Nunavut can feel the pinch as well.
The Government of Nunavut will raise gas prices 13.9 cents a litre during the first week of November, Manitok Thompson, the minister of public works and services, announced in the Legislative Assembly.
The Financial Management Board (FMB), which approved the increase, also set a ceiling of 98.9 cents a litre for heating oil, diesel fuel, jet A-1 fuel and gasoline.
The ceiling applies to all communities except Iqaluit, where the retail gas bar operators are not regulated by the FMB.
This raise follows a five cent a litre increase handed down in January.
At that time Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. worried that hunters wouldn't be able to afford to operate their snowmobiles and boats.
This time the GN and NTI are planning ways to keep gas prices for hunters as low as possible. Minister Thompson said her department is exploring options for low income homeowners and a Senior's Fuel Subsidy Program.
