https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/home-energy-rebate-ends-new-brunswick-1.6309032
End of home energy rebate program surprises some low-income New Brunswickers
$100 rebate helped about 33,000 households annually, opposition says
But after going to Service New Brunswick to apply, he was told the program was over. That meant the Woodstock resident, and other low-income families across the province, would no longer be eligible for $100 to offset power.
"I know it's only $100, but $100 is $100 is these trying times," George said. "I was very much in shock."
The Home Energy Assistance Program was put in place by the Liberals in 2016 for five years. The current government has chosen not to renew it.
Robert Gauvin, Shediac Bay-Dieppe MLA and social development critic for the Liberals, said the program was effective and could have easily been extended.
"People don't understand – why cut this $100," he said. "That's not a lot of money for some people, but for some it makes all the difference in the world."
Robert Duguay, a spokesperson for the Department of Social Development, said there are a number of programs in place to help seniors and low-income households with heating costs.
"This program came to an end and was not cut," he wrote in an email.
'A lot of people would rely on it'
Application forms to apply for the energy rebate were typically available in early January.
George files taxes for seniors in the community and he said the end of the program is a shock to many of them.
"Why they would cancel it, and why not tell anyone that they had cancelled it at all, is beyond my comprehension. A lot of people would rely on it," he said in an interview.
Woodstock resident Lloyd George said he was shocked to find out the home energy rebate program was not continuing this year. (Alexandre Silberman/CBC)
About 33,000 New Brunswick families received the rebate annually, according to the opposition.
George said benefits such as the energy program have an impact in helping make ends meet with costs climbing for groceries and gas.
"It's going to affect a lot of people, it means they have to cough up an extra $100 they were looking forward to, to offset these heating costs," he said.
"If people were told beforehand they may have made other arrangements."
New housing benefit
Duguay said available resources include provincial energy efficiency programs and the low-income annual seniors benefit of $400
The new Canada Housing Benefit program was expanded in December. That short-term benefit supports families with a household income between $12,000 and $50,000.
People eligible for the program receive an average of $300 to $475 per month, depending income, household composition and location, according to Duguay.
Robert Gauvin, Liberal MLA for Shediac Bay-Dieppe and social development critic, said the rebate program was effective and could have easily been continued. (Ed Hunter/CBC)
The provincial government expects it to support about 6,700 households.
Will the new housing program be enough to offset the end of the energy rebate? The opposition critic said he isn't sure.
"It's incomprehensible right now," Gauvin said. "Why would they stop this program that was working so well for around 100,000 people in New Brunswick?"
Anyone facing an emergency situation regarding winter heating should call Social Development at 1-833-733-7835.
Good Night Cruel World
Winter in New Brunswick can be like a rollercoaster ride. We’re going from yesterday’s mild temperatures to a period of extreme cold this week. Based on the current forecast, the coldest temperatures will happen starting tonight and into Wednesday morning. And the colder it gets, the more electricity we use to stay warm and energize our homes and businesses.
We’re taking action on our end to be ready to meet New Brunswickers’ energy needs – but we need your help, too.
We’re asking all New Brunswickers to make small changes to help Beat the Peak. We are projecting in-province demand to reach 3,300 MW early Wednesday morning, which is more than double the power used on a summer morning.
Peak electricity demand happens in the morning from 6 until 9, and in the afternoon from 4 until 8, when most families begin and wind down their days. During these peaks, NB Power uses the most expensive and least green energy to power New Brunswick. By following a few simple tips, we can all help reduce electricity use and Beat the Peak.
Electric Heating: Turn down the heat in rooms you’re not using to save energy.
Hot Water Use: Heating water in your home uses a lot of energy. Take shorter showers or move them to later in the day. The same goes for running dishwashers and washing machines – set them to run overnight or mid-day.
Alternative Heating: Use wood stoves, fireplaces or other fuel sources to help keep your home cozy instead of cranking up your electric heat.
We can all help New Brunswick Beat the Peak without compromising comfort or convenience. These actions will help you avoid paying for energy you don’t need while helping to reduce costs and environmental impacts for the province.
When New Brunswickers use less electricity during peak times, we all win.
Peak electricity demand happens in the morning from 6 until 9, and in the afternoon from 4 until 8, when most families begin and wind down their days. During these peaks, NB Power uses the most expensive and least green energy to power New Brunswick. By following a few simple tips, we can all help reduce electricity use and Beat the Peak.
Electric Heating: Turn down the heat in rooms you’re not using to save energy.
Hot Water Use: Heating water in your home uses a lot of energy. Take shorter showers or move them to later in the day. The same goes for running dishwashers and washing machines – set them to run overnight or mid-day.
Alternative Heating: Use wood stoves, fireplaces or other fuel sources to help keep your home cozy instead of cranking up your electric heat.
We can all help New Brunswick Beat the Peak without compromising comfort or convenience. These actions will help you avoid paying for energy you don’t need while helping to reduce costs and environmental impacts for the province.
When New Brunswickers use less electricity during peak times, we all win.
What 🦭♔ difference does it make you 🦭♔ piece of 💩❗
Nickel and diming these poor folks while we spend millions to entertain these filthy rich royals and give our resources away to the filthy rich foreign corporations registered in tax havens. 😠❗
Too bad it's the working poor that gets hit again though.
Very petty!!!
They voted with the conservatives all the time.
You actually believe that the CBC polls are random?
There is an ex CBC Producer that begs to differ.
She just couldn't stand the tactics the CBC employs any longer.
Between December 2016 and December 2017, passengers aboard government aircraft consumed 401 bottles of wine, 584 cans of beer and five 250-millilitre bottles of vodka, at a total cost of $8,179.
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You got that right. The article states the Opposition claims 33,000 people used the rebate. GAUVIN says 100,000 !!! ......NO surprise here.
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