Northwest Territories government to subsidize fuel cost in Norman Wells
Change expected to take effect as early as Saturday
The N.W.T. government says it is stepping in to bring down fuel prices in Norman Wells for home-heating fuel, diesel for vehicles and wholesale gasoline.
The community has been struggling with high costs of fuel and other goods after low water levels cancelled the yearly barge resupply and forced shipments to be delivered by air. The cost of flying in fuel added $3.38 per litre to the regular price of fuel in the community.
In a news release Friday, the territory announced that residents and businesses in Norman Wells can expect the wholesale cost of gasoline to decrease by about $0.75 per litre and the wholesale cost of diesel for vehicles and home heating to decrease by approximately $0.86 per litre. The change is expected to take effect as early as Saturday, though the announcement notes timing could vary from supplier to supplier.
The offset is in addition to a $1.8-million emergency fund the territory paid to businesses, Indigenous and community governments in the Sahtu and Beaufort Delta regions to offset transportation costs and a $150,000 donation to the Norman Wells food bank.
The government is subsiding Imperial Oil and fuel delivery company S.R.P. North Ventures Ltd. rather than an "application-based" subsidy program for residents.
Friday's announcement said the government determined that would be "the most efficient and effective way to provide immediate support."
The territory said it is preparing for the winter road season, expected to open in early 2025, which it expects will meet the community's fuel needs through early 2026.