The Town of Norman Wells told residents “we are all in this together” on Friday as the price of gas shot up – the latest economic issue the community is facing.
The abandonment of the summer barge season because of low Mackenzie River water levels has driven up costs, while the town said home heating fuel prices were also “skyrocketing.”
The future of Imperial Oil’s Norman Wells facility, which is the town’s economic engine, is uncertain after the Sahtu Secretariat, a body representing the region’s Dene and Métis peoples, triggered environmental assessment processes for some of Imperial’s operations last month.
Imperial has previously said any regulatory delays could mean the facility closes earlier than planned. In any case, it is due to be shuttered in the next decade.
Residents’ latest blow came on Thursday when SRP Petroleum, a Norman Wells fuel vendor, warned customers to expect “a large price increase” for gasoline.
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SRP said its suppliers were also set to increase the cost of diesel and heating oil.
“As your local service provider, we understand the frustration and concerns that arise from this increase. We ask that all patrons be patient with our staff and each other while we navigate this situation together,” SRP wrote in a notice posted online.
“SRP Petroleum’s goal is to continue to provide a safe and reliable service to our community to the best of our ability.”
A spokesperson for SRP directed Cabin Radio to Imperial Oil, which is also the town’s major fuel supplier. Imperial could not be reached for comment on the matter.
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Residents and town officials reported the wholesale cost of gas moving to $4.61 per litre in the community as of Friday. The nationwide average on the same day was $1.46 a litre according to the Canadian Automobile Association.
On Friday, the town asked residents to share personal stories about how increasing costs and other issues are affecting them.
“In the wake of recent events, the lives of many Norman Wells residents have been turned upside down. The cancellation of crucial barge services and skyrocketing home heating fuel prices as well as prices of essential goods have left many of us facing unimaginable challenges,” the town wrote in a Facebook post.
“Are you struggling with astronomical increases in home heating costs? Are you forced to choose between keeping your home warm and putting food on the table? Perhaps you’re trying to relocate to a more affordable area but find yourself unable to sell your home in this market. Or maybe you feel trapped in our remote community, facing exorbitant flight costs that make it impossible to leave.
“These challenges are real and deeply personal. Many of us are experiencing declining mental health, uncertainty, and fear about how we will afford to live in the coming months. You are not alone in this struggle. We need your stories. Your experiences matter, and they can create the change we desperately need. Do not be ashamed to share; we are all in this together.”
Those stories are likely to be incorporated into the messages Mayor Frank Pope and Sahtu MLA Danny McNeely take to Ottawa in meetings with federal ministers next week.
Sahtu leaders have been lobbying in Yellowknife, too, as they try to solve some of the region’s challenges.
“Together, we can illustrate the reality of our situation and advocate for the change we need,” the town told its residents.
“Remember, your voice is powerful. Let’s show the world that Norman Wells is strong. Sahtu is strong.”
