Fort Simpson (May 21/04) - The territorial government should consider a subsidy for NWT businesses to offset the rising cost of gasoline, according to Andrew Gaule, president of the Fort Simpson Chamber of Commerce.

Costly fill up: Here's a sample of the price per litre for regular gas around the Deh Cho: Big River Service, Fort Providence - $1.12.4 Liard Valley Fuel Centre, Fort Liard - 98.9 cents Nahanni Butte Store Ltd. - 97.9 cents TJ Grocery, Fort Simpson - $1.08.9

"There's federal and territorial taxes on gasoline. They make more and more money as the price goes up and I don't see them doing anything about that," he said.

Businesses like taxi firms -- Gaule and his wife, Cecile, used to own one -- really feel the pinch, he noted.

"It has an effect on a whole bunch of things," said Gaule.

Finance Minister Floyd Roland could not be reached for comment prior to Tuesday's press deadline.

Kevin Menicoche, Nahendeh MLA, said introducing a business subsidy likely wouldn't be economically feasible for the GNWT at this time. The territorial government is already grappling with a deficit and trying to constrain expenditures, he noted.

Alternatives to driving?

At TJ Grocery in Fort Simpson, a Shell outlet, co-manager Dennis Nelner said the recent nine cent per litre hike at the pumps has caused some customers to voice their displeasure.

"The odd customer grumbles about it. We take the ribbing but it's really out of our control," Nelner said.

He declined to disclose what percentage of gasoline profit goes to TJ Grocery, but he said it is "very low."

Nelner predicted that prices will continue to rise throughout the summer, typically a period of higher demand. He said motorists always have the option of buying a more fuel-efficient vehicle or purchasing a bicycle, something he said he may do himself.

"It's hard on my pocketbook, too. People have to think of alternatives," he said.

Gaule noted that there is, at least, competition in Fort Simpson because two gas outlets -- Shell and Imperial Oil -- remain. A third gas station, under Esso's umbrella, closed last month due to low demand. That, unfortunately, reflects the stagnant economy in Fort Simpson, according to Gaule.

"If there was more of an economy there would be more competition and prices would go down," he contended.

At Big River Service in Fort Providence, also a Shell outlet, Troy Patenaude said he's anticipating that some customers will be upset over the 20 cent jump that took effect on Monday.

"We hear it all but there's not much we can do about it," he said.