'Confused and fearful': As winter sets in, Norman Wells, N.W.T., resident decries fuel costs
CBC
A Norman Wells, N.W.T., resident has written a strongly-worded letter to the community's mayor and MLA calling for help in what she calls an "outrageous" situation over fuel costs.
Suzanne Hall, who has lived in the Sahtu for over 10 years, says she runs a modest household on a single income. Now, she says her monthly income isn't enough to cover both a tank of fuel and her mortgage.
Residents in the 750-person community have been gripped by a cost-of-living crisis driven by high fuel costs.
Prices skyrocketed in the community after historic low water levels on the Mackenzie River grounded barges that would usually resupply the community from the river, forcing fuel to be flown in — a costly alternative.
Earlier this month, the town's council passed a motion to declare a state of emergency, and asked for $6.6 million to cover the cost of getting more heating fuel into the community.
Hall said it cost her $6,161 to fill her fuel tank in October, compared to $2,157 in September.
"Today, I am confused and fearful," Hall wrote in her letter.
Hall's letter also calls on members of cabinet to take action and declare a state of emergency.
"The GNWT [Government of the Northwest Territories] must intervene and deal with this matter at the source. Pay Buffalo [Airways] directly for the cost of air barging the fuel," she wrote. "Get this matter out of the hands of the corporate giants, then take over fuel supply operations for Norman Wells, as GNWT does for the rest of the Sahtu region."
Speaking to CBC News, Hall said she wants to see Imperial Oil be transparent in its fuel pricing, and that elected leaders should hold the company accountable.
"I'm up at night worried about it. I'm worried about how I'm going to get through the holidays. I haven't told some of my family in the south what's going on because I don't want them to worry," Hall said.
"The toll it takes on your mental health is ... It's a lot. Not an evening has gone by that I haven't shed a tear, either for my own frustration or listening to the stories of my neighbours."
Hall said she was having trouble working and focusing on anything else, so she decided to put her concerns down on paper.
"I truly am sick about this and I can't get it out of my head," she said.
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