FAMILIES NEED A BREAK ON THEIR HEATING OIL NOW: RAYMOND

Friday January 16, 2004

Halifax – NDP Service Nova Scotia Critic Michele Raymond is calling on the Hamm government to provide immediate relief for Nova Scotians now that heating oil prices have reached the 60 cent mark.

“It is bitterly cold, heating oil prices are on the rise, and consumption is way up,� says Raymond. “ If Nova Scotia Power is breaking records at the same time prices are climbing, we know that thousands of low income families are struggling to heat their homes.�

“In previous years, the Hamm government has issued rebates, but only after Nova Scotians reach their crisis point. This year we’re asking that they do the right thing, and put rebates into the pockets of freezing Nova Scotians when they need it – right now.â€?

Raymond was responding to news that MJ Ervin, a nationally recognized petroleum research company, recorded the average heating oil cost at 60 cents a litre in Halifax this week. Over the last several years, the Hamm government has only responded with a rebate when prices reached this extreme.

“Last year Nova Scotians paid some of the highest prices for heating oil in Canada,� she says. “John Hamm’s heating oil rebates have never gone far enough to address the real needs in this province, but when temperatures are plummeting and people are using records amount of energy, a rebate at this time would at least provide some desperately needed relief.�

“Over the last number of years it took massive public pressure to push this government to act. I am urging the Hamm government to act now.�

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