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By Glynn Brothen

Cost of Living

NDP calls for investigation into increased food prices in northern Saskatchewan

Dec 5, 2024 | 6:00 AM

The province’s opposition wants an investigation into increased food cost after a scurvy outbreak in La Ronge, but efforts to bring forth a motion in the Legislature were blocked according to the motion’s sponsor.

NDP Shadow Minister for Northern Affairs and Cumberland MLA Jordan McPhail said he’s heard concerns from his constituents about the cost of living, particularly when it comes to sourcing healthy food options. He said the motion to investigate food costs was “not prescriptive in any way shape or form” but efforts to present it were quashed by the Sask. Party which holds a majority on the Human Services Committee.

“My motion was straight-forward, It was to call on the government to look into why food prices are so high in Northern Saskatchewan, or as high as they are,” he said. “They blocked us from being able to bring that motion to the table today.”

READ MORE: Pressure on province to address food costs after scurvy cases

Born and raised in La Ronge, McPhail said the North is synonymous with a higher cost of living, particularly in the way of grocery prices. He’s heard of $18 jugs of milk in Stoney Rapids and a $168 turkey in Wollaston Lake. Most of the increased cost is attributed to transport, he said, which is why he’s calling for a suspension of tax on gas.

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The increased cost is taking a toll on local health after doctors in La Ronge recently diagnosed and treated 27 patients for scurvy, a disease caused by vitamin C deficiency.

In an emailed statement, the Saskatchewan Party said the province decreased the cost of food via PST exemptions on basic food items. McPhail rebuffed the statement.

“I would invite one of the members that would say that to go to the grocery store with me,” he said, noting the PST exemption is on some but not all items. “As a father of two growing girls I know what food needs to go in the grocery cart and I can tell you…. there is PST on the items that I would be feeding [my children].”

The Saskatchewan Party attributes the federal carbon tax as the root cause of inflation and cost of living concerns. The province removed carbon tax on home heating and reduced income tax, the statement said.

“Additionally we continue to invest in highway infrastructure as it is vital to maintaining a reliable supply chain to northern communities,” it continued.

McPhail said those provisions are insufficient.

“The government has a choice to put more money in peoples’ pockets. They can do that by cutting the PST on grocery items. They can do that by suspending the gas tax. That is within their power to do so. They’re refusing to do that. They’re ignoring the food security issues in northern Saskatchewan.”

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glynn.brothen@pattisonmedia.com