Mike W. Bryant
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Sep 23/05) - Any relief from soaring fuel costs will have to come from the federal government, says Industry minister Brendan Bell.

The minister was in St. Andrews, New Brunswick, this week attending meetings with provincial and territorial counterparts in an attempt to figure out how to reduce the pain on heating bills and at the gas pump.

Bell said provincial and territorial ministers will be asking Finance Minister Ralph Goodale to set up rebate programs this winter for things like furnace replacements and household-efficiency upgrades to help pay for the cost of heating homes.

He said federal help is particularly needed in the Northwest Territories because the home-heating season can last nine months or more.

"We're looking for some leadership from the federal government in several areas," said Bell.

He said there is little his government can do to provide relief on fuel bills because they don't tax heating oil and the 10.7 cent tax on gasoline is already very low.

"We don't collect much tax in that area. What we are talking about is, 'What are some (federal) program options we can look at that?'" Bell said.

Bell, echoing statements made by Premier Joe Handley last week, said assurances that the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline gets off the ground would go a long way to help negate rising fuel costs in the long-term.

"It's imperative that we stay the course on that project and push it ahead," said Bell.