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Hand me the money! Home Heating Rebate creating stress!
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Roland Butler, MHA for the District of Port De Grave and Opposition Critic for Human Resources and Employment, says that despite a government promise last year that low income earners would receive up to $200 to help offset the high cost of heating their homes, a delay in processing means many eligible for a rebate have yet to receive a paycheque. The government announced the program in December 2006 after much pressure and while it expanded the Home Heating Rebate to cover electricity users, the maximum rebate was cut from $400 to $200 annually. It is now reported that there is an eight-week delay period in processing applications. AWhen it announced the program, government=s rhetoric was ramped up as it boasted about placing a priority on helping those most in need,@ says Butler. AIt is now nearing the end of April and those in need are more in need than ever, as they have had a long cold winter biting into their meager household budget. AThis government has a track record of misplaced priorities and the long holdup on rebates underscores just how uncommitted government is to the bread and butter issues that are of concern to Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. This government appears more interested in spinning public relations webs, than in actually ensuring that people are helped in practical ways as soon as possible. AIt is increasingly difficult for even middle-income individuals and families to make ends meet, let alone those whose income is near or below the poverty level. This should have been a top priority with government since we have the highest energy poverty rate in the country, with a large percentage of income going towards energy costs.@ The Liberal MHA points out that the 2007 program should have been more generous offering a full $400 rebate. AIt could also have been more comprehensive by offering assistance to the hard-hit middle class, who are increasingly becoming the working poor. But to promise limited assistance four months ago and leave many people still waiting for their money is yet another frustrating obstacle in the lives of those most in need. I call upon government to quicken the pace of getting rebate cheques into the hands of those burdened with high energy costs in this province.@ -30 -
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