Cost of fuel likely to rise
Minister looks to other departments in fuel price battle

Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet (Mar 06/00) - Every option is being explored to cushion the blow of rising fuel prices for Nunavut consumers, says Public Works Minister Manitok Thompson.

The minister was on the hot seat over rising fuel prices during the legislative assembly's recent sitting in Rankin Inlet.

Thompson says Nunavut consumers should brace for another price hike, adding she will continue to fight rising prices as she did with December's five cents per litre increase.

"The original recommendation was a 10 cents per litre hike and I told the Petroleum Products Division (PPD) to go back to the drawing board and come back with a better figure, which ended up being five cents," says Thompson.

"The last thing I want to do is hurt our citizens. That's why I'm exhausting every possibility in cushioning the blow, but the price of crude keeps going up."

Thompson can't predict exactly when the next price increase will occur or how much it will be.

She says the Price Stabilization Fund is not an option, as it is already dangerously close to exceeding its $5-million deficit limit.

Any relief is going to have to come from other sources, she says.

"I talked to Minister of Sustainable Development Peter Kilabuk to see if his department can help.

"I've also asked Education Minister James Arvaluk if he can help income support recipients.

"They're doing a review of the whole income support program and he's hoping to include this situation as part of that review.

"I can't do any more within my department. Our subsidies are around $9.6 million."

Thompson has asked PPD to look within its own department for areas which may be improved.

She would also like to see the entire petroleum products delivery program reviewed before the next contracting season.

"People are having a hard time meeting fuel prices right across Nunavut.

"I'm doing everything I can to address the situation, both as a minister and an MLA."