More Concern Over Fuel Tax Hike

Ontario Regional Chief Stan Beardy is sounding alarms over the Provincial Government’s plans to hike the fuel tax.
Beardy says it will boost airline fares and make it even more difficult for remote communities to access goods and services.
He says that with poor living conditions and a lack of health care in some first nation communities, residents often have to travel to southern clinics for care.
Beardy stresses any increase in fares will just make it too expensive.
The Ontario Regional Chief says it currently costs between $1,000 to $1,400 to fly return from Fort Severn to Sioux Lookout and over $1,600 to fly from Muskrat Dam First Nation to Thunder Bay.
Beardy points out that a return ticket from Toronto to Paris France is $1,200.