MR. SPEAKER: Further petitions.

The hon. the Opposition House Leader.

MR. KELVIN PARSONS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I rise today to deliver my second petition with respect to the issue of the Harmonized Sales Tax on home heating bills.

The petition of the undersigned residents humbly sheweth:

WHEREAS the people of Newfoundland and Labrador pay the government Harmonized Sales Tax on home heating bills; and

WHEREAS this tax is causing great hardship to low-income families throughout the Province; and

WHEREAS the residents of this Province demand that our government remove the provincial portion of the Harmonized Sales Tax from home heating bills;

WHEREUPON the undersigned, your petitioners, humbly pray and call upon the House of Assembly to urge government to remove the provincial tax from home heating bills.

As in duty bound your petitioners will ever pray.

Mr. Speaker, I have received dozens of these petitions from my District of Burgeo & La Poile. I understand there is another one being circulated provincially as well. It is obviously a matter of great concern and grave concern for, particularly low-income families who are having a tough time, those who are burning fuel. Any break they could get from this government would be greatly appreciated.

The Minister of Finance, of course, as everyone in this Province knows, is about to deliver his Budget tomorrow. Maybe there will be some goodies in that regard in the bill that might help these people and provide some form of relief for them as well.

I have heard different parties, the other Opposition party as well, putting forward this particular petition. A lady in my District of Burgeo & La Poile has been very outspoken on it, Ms Elizabeth Harvey who lives in Isle aux Morts. As anyone who has heard that name before knows, Ms Harvey is the type of individual that if she takes hold of a matter, she gives it her all. She is there to promote it and to make sure that ultimately something positive happens. She is a person who is not self-serving, who is there for everyone else and to volunteer and help out on these matters, particularly when it comes to affecting low-income families.

I am more than pleased to enter this petition on her behalf. Hopefully, we can see government respond in some kind of positive way. I see the Minister of Finance is signalling for a copy of the petition. I certainly would concur with that. In fact, if he wants, I can put him in touch personally with everybody who is listed on this petition, no question.