HALIFAX - Nova Scotia plans to reduce a rebate that helps lower-income people cover the cost of heating their homes.
Service Nova Scotia Minister Ramona Jennex said Wednesday that last year's rebate of $450 will be reduced to $200 this winter for people who use oil, propane or natural gas.
Those who heat with electricity, coal, wood or wood pellets - about 20 per cent of households - will now be offered $200 instead of the previous $150.
Jennex said the province is simply carrying out what the previous Tory government planned in the budget it tabled before being defeated in the June election.
She said the cost of heating fuel has gone dramatically since last winter.
Government figures indicate there were 55,000 applicants for the rebate last year.
Individuals making up to $27,000 and families earning up to $42,000 are eligible.
Liberal Leader Stephen McNeil accused the NDP government of backtracking from what they promised on the campaign trail.
"They told the most vulnerable of our community that they would help them," McNeil said. "Now what they've done is, they've cut that program in half and forcing them to choose between eating or keeping warm.
"The most vulnerable people in our community are going to be cold this winter."
Cecil Clarke, the Tory critic for Service Nova Scotia, said the drop in the price of home heating fuel doesn't reflect the NDP government's decision to cut it by more than half.
"What we have is a government that is giving eight per cent off electricity bills to heat swimming pools in south-end Halifax when people who have electricity bills, who are in need of financial assistance, are not getting the assistance they deserve," he said.
Clarke denied that his government had also planned to cut the rebate.
"That wasn't the case from what I understand," he said. "I don't recall that being the intention of our government."
N.S. NDP government cuts heating rebate for lower-income earners
- Published on October 15, 2009
- Published on December 30, 2009
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The Canadian Press ~ The News
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Comments
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- Someone
- - January 18, 2010 at 14:33:42
Hypocrisy much?
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- Grandad
- - January 18, 2010 at 14:19:20
There you go folks! The almighty socialists riding to the rescue of the poor and working class. Feel like fools for voting them in yet?
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- Bob
- - January 18, 2010 at 13:39:24
I guess the NDP is no better then the party they replacd....Looks good on those who thought Dexter would save the province.Typical gov,t. BS
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- a good day for trenton
- - January 18, 2010 at 13:09:53
just one more foul taste of the tory plan for nova scotia!!!!! sit tight the tides will change soon enough. god bless nova scotia and its new vanguard.
