"Residents of Labrador outside the Labrador West region are paying substantially more for electricity than people in the rest of the province," said Jones. "For these people to face such an increase is unfair.

"In fact, leaders in Labrador have made representation to the PUB that rates on the coast should be frozen so they could be gradually brought into line with other areas of the province. One group of people, many of whom are living on fixed incomes, should not have to endure massive increases on their own. The PUB has ignored this representation and granted an increase for everyone."

The Liberal MHA says that the Conservative government could deal with this issue if they were serious about the way residents in Labrador are being treated. Automobile insurance rates are being frozen and the government has recently passed legislation to freeze the wages of public sector employees.

"This is another example of how the residents of Labrador are forgotten in the government decision-making process. In dealing with important issues, the Premier and his Cabinet seem to believe that decisions can be made across the board with no consideration of special circumstances.

"A 7% increase on the highest rates in the province translates into the largest increase being felt by people on the coast. We already pay the most for electricity, food, transportation, gasoline and other essential services. I have to ask the Premier, when will the damaging policy decisions end?"