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News
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Finance Minister refuses assistance to low income families
and voluntary organizations suffering from high energy prices November 24, 2005
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Roland Butler, Opposition Human Resources, Labour and Employment Critic and
MHA for the District of Port de Grave, is disappointed with Finance Minister
Loyola Sullivan who dismissed concerns raised on behalf of families that are
facing a desperate situation this winter due to high energy costs. "These people are amongst the most vulnerable in society and the Minister refused any additional assistance when I questioned him in the House of Assembly this afternoon," said Butler. "The home heating rebate program announced by government earlier this year must be re-examined so that thousands of low income families in the province do not fall through the cracks. The working poor of this province will not qualify for a rebate unless the Minister is willing to re-examine the $30,000 combined income threshold in this program. "I have personally spoken with people who are facing desperate circumstances caused by high fuel and electricity prices. Rather than having people decide between warm clothing, food and heat, government has an obligation to step in and provide additional assistance. The program should be expanded to include more low and fixed income people and offer relief to customers who are facing increased electricity bills." The Liberal MHA says the Minister of Finance recognized the need to include electricity users when he tabled a Private Members Motion that was debated in the House of Assembly on March 26, 2003. "I’m not sure what happened in the time it took the Minister of Finance to walk across the floor of the House of Assembly from being in Opposition making demands to being the Minister of Finance and in a position to make a difference, but it is time for him to take his own advice and include electricity users in this program." Butler also questioned the Minister today regarding the impact of high fuel costs on the ability of non-profit and community based organizations to provide essential services to people who are in need. "I simply asked the Minister to look at addressing the challenges faced by voluntary organizations in the province and he refused to do so. These programs provide services to society that may be at risk due to the high price of fuel and it is the responsibility of government to assess this impact and provide assistance if necessary. "Government continues to praise itself for balancing the budget in this province, but it refuses to acknowledge the stress and suffering it has caused the vulnerable in society. The fact of the matter is that government is reaping millions of dollars in extra revenues from the high cost of energy and it refuses to return even a small percentage of these savings to those who need it most. There will be long-term social impacts caused by the decisions made by government that will become more obvious over time." |
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