Skip to content

What came first - The Project or the high prices?

Corinne Scott’s take on local inflation
19618776_web1_Shopping
(Image pexels.com)

It’s time to start joining the living again after being in a sickbed for the second time in the last couple of months.

We faithfully get our flu shots every fall as soon as they become available, so I’m puzzled why my immune system doesn’t ward off these common germs. Both Ian and I were bedridden for the better part of a week, first in Amsterdam, and immediately after arriving home in mid-October.

I recovered from that bout with no lingering effects and flew to Alberta for a week to attend my grandson’s 5th birthday. It was -20 C when I arrived in Calgary and warmed up to -5 C by the end of the week.

My special little man had sniffles the day before I left and within a couple of days of being home, I was flat out again, with a sore throat, laryngitis, blocked sinuses and a heavy cough. I think I’m over the worst of it and have tried hard not to spread my germs to family, friends and co-volunteers at the housing society and hospital foundation.

One thing about not getting out and about shopping or running errands around town has provided lots of time for reading, making plans for the upcoming Christmas Season and contemplating shopping locally.

Ian and I have always been great proponents for shopping locally and supporting Kitimat businesses.

We were pleasantly surprised to find almost everything we needed in Kitimat when renovating our house 12 years ago.

The local merchants went out of their way to provide excellent service and competitive prices for their products. What happened?

Yes, 12 years have gone by and prices have risen in all sectors of our economy – we can appreciate that, but has anyone else noticed the ‘substantial’ increases over the past year in groceries, pharmacy, gas, dry cleaning, industrial supplies and house rentals”

Have our local businesses decided to increase their prices due only to LNG Canada’s final investment decision and the expectation of increased numbers of consumers in town?

The bottom line is these major increases hurt the local people, friends and neighbours who will still be here after the construction phase.

I’ve always promoted the need for more entrepreneurs and small businesses in town – we need the competition and variety of products available.

However, we also need to be treated fairly and be provided with good customer service in order to support the local businesses. No one expects ‘big city competitive pricing’ – however being gouged will not provide my support to shop locally.

Christmas Season is upon us – will pricing be competitive or will more people be shopping online or in Terrace?

Visit our Facebook page

Follow us on Twitter

Typos? Email the editor!