Hoping for federal help, Norman Wells declares emergency over fuel

The Town of Norman Wells formally declared a state of emergency on Tuesday following skyrocketing fuel prices in the community.

The idea of a local state of emergency was first raised during a forum for election candidates earlier this month.

At the forum, mayoral candidates Frank Pope and Paulie Chinna each took questions about how the town should respond as gas and heating fuel costs reach $5 or more per litre.

The town followed the forum by announcing an emergency meeting of council on Tuesday, at which a motion to declare a “humanitarian local state of emergency” was unanimously passed.

“Mayor and council recognize that the recent increase in fuel prices has significantly impacted the community, straining household budgets, raising transportation costs, and affecting local businesses. We know this is hard for all of us,” the town stated in its declaration.

“This declaration is vital for elevating the community’s needs to the federal level through the territorial government, ensuring that necessary support is provided to residents and businesses.”

For the next three months, the town added, water and sewer service fees will be waived for all residents and businesses.

Town says millions of dollars needed

The town ultimately wants the territorial government to take up its call and help unlock emergency cash from Ottawa.

In the past month, Sahtu leaders have met with the territorial and federal governments to explain the challenges residents face.

Low water on the Mackenzie River caused this summer’s resupply barges to be cancelled. Imperial Oil, which supplies fuel to Norman Wells, has said the result is a significant increase in the price it must pay to fly in fuel.

The town is now seeking $6.6 million in federal support to cover the cost of bringing in more heating fuel.

Speaking last month, Sahtu MLA Danny McNeely said the figure of $6.6 million was based on his understanding of current air freight costs.

“That should come from other people, not the people I represent or the businesses. They shouldn’t have to pay, in my view,” he said.

The GNWT has released a $1.8-million rescue package to offset a portion of the increased shipping costs paid by businesses in the Sahtu and Beaufort Delta regions without the cheaper barge option.

‘I am scared to death’

Suzanne Hall, a resident of Norman Wells, said while some people use pellet stoves or wood stoves to heat their homes, a majority of residents rely on the likes of heating oil.

They have no alternative when the price goes up, she said.

“The piece that people are missing and not understanding – why we are so up in arms – is because the majority of people here don’t have any other heating options,” Hall told Cabin Radio on Tuesday.

She said the recent cost spike meant residents are being charged two to three times what they were previously paying, resulting in bills running to astonishing five-figure sums monthly.

“Before, we were paying $1.87 or $1.91 a litre. That’s what I was paying, last time I filled up my tank.”

Hall said she lives alone and can turn the heat down to save money, but added that option is much harder to bear for larger families with children.

She said one family was facing a bill of up to $12,000 for heat, monthly, at the current rates.

“I’m looking at $5,200 for a month to heat my home. I’m sick to my stomach about it, because how do I heat my home?” Hall said.

“How do I choose between heating my home, paying my mortgage, buying groceries or paying for my medication? It’s just not sustainable, I don’t care how much money you make.

“There is nothing I can do. $5,000 or $5,200 to heat my house in a month is every dime that I make … it’s just not feasible. The thing is, you can’t even sell your house. Because who’s going to buy a house that they have to pay $10,000 a month to heat?”

Hall said she is considering moving away for the winter to cut her heating costs. Though she would have to work remotely and still pay the mortgage on her Norman Wells home on top of new costs elsewhere, the option still seemed reasonable to her.

To Hall, there can be no option for governments but to subsidize the cost of fuel in the community.

“It’s easier for me to shut my house and let it freeze and leave it – and pay $1,400 a month and then go live with someone else in another community and pay them rent – than it is to pay to fill one tank for a month,” she said.

“I am scared to death.”