"The most recent adjustment puts the cost of home heating fuel at the highest price ever in this province," said Thistle. "Coupled with high electricity rates for residents who use electric heat, the need for a rebate program is now! The government has had a full year to implement the permanent heating rebate program they promised and they continue to drag their heels, saying they will meet and decide if a program will be put in place. Minister Sullivan called for a permanent program when he was in opposition and the Blue Book promised a rebate program that allowed up to $250.

"According to analysts, home heating prices are increasing all across North America and may continue to rise as we enter the Winter season. The last time oil prices were near this level was March 2003 when home heating oil hit 62.67 cents a litre. Today’s price is 63.02 cents a litre and the Conservative government has not made any commitment to the people to deal with this hardship."

The Liberal MHA finds it ironic that Finance Minister Loyola Sullivan while in Opposition in the House of Assembly put forward a resolution calling for a permanent home heating program the last time oil prices hit these levels. "In the resolution, Minister Sullivan also called for the heating fuel program to be extended to people who heat their homes using electricity and requested during the debate that it become permanent. It is time he acted on these demands."

Thistle agrees it is now essential that any program that is introduced include people who heat their homes with electricity and other alternative means. "As world oil prices continue to increase over time, the cost of electricity has also increased due to Hydro’s reliance on oil-fired generation at Holyrood. Government must acknowledge that these high prices are also hurting those people who use electric heat and include them in a program that is needed now."