The leader of the official opposition believes the cost of living cheques that will be sent out to seniors will help that demographic, but wonders where the support is for families, who are also in need of a boost.
The provincial government is sending out one-time cheques, ranging from $100 to $500, to eligible seniors before the end of the year.
Those 65 and older who earn less than $75,000 a year will be eligible for the maximum payment.
Opposition Leader John Hogan (VOCM News)
John Hogan believes that money will help, but states that there has been “no cost of living announcements” for families.
He wonders why there hasn’t been an announcement to help people with the cost of groceries, noting that with over half-a-billion dollars in unexpected revenue there is “more than enough” to help families that are in need.
NL NDP Leader MHA Jim Dinn (VOCM News)
NDP leader Jim Dinn believes the measure is “lacking in many ways,” especially when seniors are struggling with many things like paying rent, heating their homes, and keeping up with repairs. He says the cheques “sound good” and now we’ll see how many people can avail of it, and how much “bureaucratic gatekeeping” is involved in getting it.
Minister Hints at More to Come
Finance Minister Craig Pardy (VOCM News)
The minister of finance is hinting at more affordability measures to come.
Minister Craig Pardy hints that, because of black gold flowing into the coffers, low income earners are next in line.
The next one will be a targeted measure to help out those that would be in the poverty range – low-income earners,” he told reporters yesterday.
