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Anna Thistle, MHA for the District of Grand Falls-Buchans and Opposition
Critic for Finance and Treasury Board, says it is critical that government
be proactive on providing better relief on the high costs of heating homes
or consumers will be feeling a sharp sting come the colder months of the
year. The Liberal MHA was reacting to a consumer group warning that oil
prices are expected to reach another high as we head into the fall and
winter seasons. The consumer watch dog also urged the provincial government
to start making plans for this hike which is anticipated to bite even deeper
into consumers’ budgets.
"No one wants to think of the cold weather while we are enjoying the
warmth of summer, but government has a responsibility not only to think
ahead, but to implement timely measures to counter these predicted sharp
increases," states Thistle. "The financial pressure on consumers from all
fronts is astronomical now, so it is predictable that many home owners will
experience financial difficulties this winter in trying to heat their homes
given this expected oil price jump and the recent increase in electricity
rates.
"As an Opposition we have been urging government to help lessen the
impact of increases that have taken place in recent years, but they have not
been responsive to our calls for more extensive assistance to hard-hit
consumers. The governments of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick have provided
more complete packages to deal with elevated oil prices. They are listening
to those they represent and are responding to the anxiety and frustration
being expressed over this issue.
"Last year’s home heating rebate, while welcome for some, was not
adequate enough to deal with the magnitude of the problem and did not
include relief for electricity users who are also experiencing increases in
their bills. This government says it is committed to poverty reduction, yet
it does not seem to appreciate that many families are living close to the
edge of poverty as it is and would welcome more assistance to prevent their
standard of living from sliding even further."
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