(November 19, 2021) – Tony Wakeham, PC Official Opposition Shadow Minister of Finance and MHA for Stephenville-Port au Port, is calling on the Liberal Government to take action to lower the cost of living for people in this province, especially for families and seniors.

“On Wednesday, November 17th, Statistics Canada released their inflation statistics for October 2021. The cost of living in this province has increased by 4.5%. The increases in the prices of gasoline, home heating fuel, and food is making it harder for seniors and families in this province to afford to live here,” said Wakeham.

“Living on a fixed income is challenging enough for our seniors, but time and time again the cost of living continues to increase, whether it’s at the gas station or the grocery store. If the Liberal government does not act, difficult choices will have to be made in the households of our province. To stand by silently is not an option.”

Wakeham says it’s time for the Liberal government to take action to lower the cost of living.

“The Liberal Government likes to suggest that they cannot help Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to lower their cost of living, but in reality there are things that government can do to help make it more affordable to live here. Some suggestions I have include:

· Review the taxation charged on gasoline and home heating fuel to determine if tax rates can be lowered or if a different taxing structure could be taken in order to lower the consumer price of gasoline;

· Ask the PUB to review the 5 cents per litre charged on gas which was implemented by Come by Chance stopped producing;

· Implement a Home Heating Rebate program to offset the cost of home heating fuel for low income individuals and families;

· Delay the implementation of the sugar sweetened beverage tax;

· Commit to not increasing taxation rates as recommended in the Greene Report;

· Conduct a review of all taxes and fees charged in the province to determine their impact and remove any taxes and fees which are not efficient or effective;

· Make fresh foods, including fruits and vegetables, available free of charge in schools and through community food banks, and;

· Work with local producers, including dairy farmers, to lower the retail cost of goods produced and sold in this province.

“The people of this province cannot afford for prices to keep increasing. The Liberal Government must take inflation seriously and make changes to help give financial relief to residents,” said Wakeham.

“Action must be taken and it must be immediate.”

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Contacts:

David Maher

Director of Strategic Communications

(cell) 709-725-0984

DavidMaher@gov.nl.ca