QP HARP Cuts
CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : It's been a day. Speaker, late Friday afternoon, this government quietly announced sweeping changes to the Heating Assistance Rebate Program: 46,000 people will no longer receive that program. They have been kicked off a program designed to help them afford their heat, and hundreds of dollars have been cut from those who remain eligible for that program. At a time when power bills are so high and Nova Scotians are staring down a rate increase, it seems unfathomable that this government would be making it harder for Nova Scotians to afford their bills.
My question for the Premier is: Why is the government going ahead with these changes that hurt Nova Scotians' bottom line?
THE SPEAKER « » : The honourable Minister of Service Nova Scotia.
HON. JILL BALSER » : Yes, the HARP - the rebate program - we know it is so valuable to Nova Scotians to be able to support their costs of heating coming up this winter. It is a $400 rebate, and I would encourage all Nova Scotians who are eligible to apply.
Not only is this program available to Nova Scotians, but I would remind them of the many rebates that are available. The Senior Care Grant is another one. We also know that there are a number of affordability measures that have been taking place that are going to support households and save up to thousands of dollars. I remind Nova Scotians that this is just one of many initiatives that we have brought forward.
CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : Speaker, my question was why 46,000 Nova Scotians will no longer be able to receive this rebate this year. I could add: Why was it announced on a Friday afternoon? Maybe I'll save that. Let me remind the Premier, since this government has been elected, the average Nova Scotian's rent has gone up by nearly $4,400 a year. Families are spending $400 more a year on their power bills, and the poverty rate in Nova Scotia is the highest in the country. The number of Nova Scotians living in poverty has increased by 59 percent.
My question is: In what world is this the time to cut this program and make it harder for Nova Scotians to cover their costs?
JILL BALSER « » : We recognize the importance of the HARP. It has been supporting Nova Scotians for many years. We know there have been changes in the program, based on the conditions Nova Scotians were experiencing when there was a higher cost of living. We know that Nova Scotians continue to see some of those burdens, Speaker. That's another reason why we brought forward in the budget last session, or whenever it was tabled or brought forward, $500 million in terms of taxation.
Speaker, that is something that is going to support all Nova Scotians. I would remind everyone in this House to make sure they are encouraging constituents who are eligible for the program this year to apply, to remind them of all the other rebates available to many Nova Scotians. Again, this is just one rebate of many. We're going to continue to support Nova Scotians.
CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : We don't need to encourage people because they are lined up outside the doors of our offices. Now, we are given the task of telling them they are not eligible.
This government likes to talk about how much they are spending. We have high bills, sky-high rent, no access to free medications like birth control, double the child care costs of families in Charlottetown or St. John's, and winter is coming. Heat is non-negotiable; 46,000 Nova Scotians will not be eligible, and this government has not put forward a rebate.
My question again is: Will this government reverse the decision to reduce the HARP benefit and kick tens of thousands of Nova Scotians off this rebate program?
JILL BALSER « » : We know the program is going to support 72,000 households, and 72,000 families will benefit from HARP. It is a $400 rebate this year to target the most vulnerable Nova Scotians.
As I said, that is one initiative or one rebate, one program of many that government is going to continue to support to make sure that Nova Scotians have the support they need. We will continue to look at affordability measures.
When I think of all my colleagues and the work that's being done across government, when we're making investments in housing and investments in health care and energy, as well as natural resources and environment, that's another reason why we have to work together to make sure we're growing the province in a way we absolutely need to for the best of Nova Scotians.