The creation of this commission of inquiry was approved by a unanimous, bipartisan vote on February 9 in the National Assembly chamber. By examining the mechanisms and causes of the cost of living for people in the overseas territories, this commission of inquiry will provide a comprehensive and accurate assessment, enabling it to develop recommendations and solutions to address this issue—both structurally and in response to current economic conditions.
This commission of inquiry will therefore begin its work as early as next week and will hold hearings over the next five months with the stakeholders involved in this matter, particularly those operating in a monopoly or oligopoly.
The purpose of this committee is to use the specific powers at its disposal (investigative powers, review of documents and on-site inspections, the authority to summon any person under penalty of criminal sanctions, and the authority to request any official document—subject to provisions regarding professional confidentiality and classified or protected information) to conduct an in-depth analysis of the causes of the high cost of living in the overseas territories and to identify potential solutions to this problem.
This is a crucial first step that will be taken, making it possible to adapt future public policies—either through legislative initiatives or by contributing to regional development projects, particularly those originating from the APPE and Fort-de-France. This first step is therefore part of a broader effort aimed at definitively addressing the causes of the high cost of living in order to improve the well-being, fulfillment, and living conditions of households, businesses, organizations, and local governments.
My commitment and my mission are therefore part of a profound and long-term approach.
Originally limited to the overseas departments and regions governed by Article 73 of the Constitution, the scope of the commission of inquiry was expanded by an amendment to include local authorities governed by Articles 73 and 74 of the Constitution: Ten overseas territories are affected:
Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Mayotte, French Polynesia, Réunion, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Martin, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, and Wallis and Futuna.
The commission's work will focus on:
- all the factors that contribute to the cost of living:
- prices,
- income,
- Government collections and transfers,
- Underfunding of overseas territories.
- Solutions to Be Implemented to address the high cost of living throughout these countries
To begin with, officials who have data or analyses—ideally in numerical form—on the cost of living overseas and its possible causes will be heard.
Next,, the commission of inquiry will hear from economists who have conducted analyses on the cost of living and competition overseas.
Third,, the commission of inquiry will meet with economic stakeholders and officials from the various regions.
Finally,, it will draw conclusions from these hearings by hearing testimony from central administrative officials and government officials—including the relevant ministers.
The commission of inquiry’s work will be completed no later than August 8, 2023.
It will then be up to the government and Congress to implement these recommendations so that the cost of living in our communities can be reduced and hope can be restored. It is long overdue!
I am therefore firmly committed to ensuring that this commission of inquiry serves as an important step toward better addressing our realities and securing the future of our peoples and our so-called overseas territories.
I will remain fully committed until there is a tangible improvement in the living conditions of our households and in the health of our organizations, businesses, and local governments, while fostering initiative and ensuring genuine economic democracy.
