|
Roland Butler, Opposition Human Resources, Labour and Employment Critic and
MHA for the District of Port de Grave, says the home heating rebate
announced by government last week is a real disappointment because it leaves
thousands of poor and middle income earners without assistance. "This
program does not come close to addressing the serious problems being faced
by thousands of people around this province who are struggling to deal with
high fuel prices," said Butler. "People who heat their homes with
electricity are totally left out of the program and thousands of other
middle income earners will be left out in the cold because of the
qualification criteria. Government is raking in hundreds of millions in
increased revenues because of high fuel prices and they should give more of
a break to people who need it."
The Liberal MHA says he is also disappointed that government has not
taken immediate action to assist the volunteer and not-for-profit sectors.
"Groups that work with the most disadvantaged in our society are being
severely impacted by high fuel prices and government does not seem willing
to recognize this as a serious problem. I wrote the Minister earlier this
month asking that she do an assessment of the impacts on these groups and
offer some immediate assistance so the most vulnerable in our society do not
have to bare the brunt of high fuel prices.
"Minister Burke has attempted to wash her hands clean of any
responsibility for the impact of high fuel prices on these organizations.
She has no understanding of the big picture. High fuel prices are affecting
all sectors of the economy, including programs delivered by volunteer and
community based organizations that serve the most vulnerable in society. At
this point, government is not willing to recognize the seriousness of this
problem and are not even in the process of creating a comprehensive action
plan."
|