(March 24, 2022) – Tony Wakeham, PC Official Opposition Shadow Minister of Finance and MHA for Stephenville-Port au Port, says the Liberal government has yet to introduce a real plan to offset the rising cost of living which many families, seniors, and hardworking Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are facing.

“Last week, while the Premier was away, three Ministers failed to deal with the rising cost of living in this province. The Liberal five-point plan does nothing to decrease the cost of home heating fuel, gasoline, food, rent, and medications,” said Wakeham.

Wakeham continued to outline the actions that he has been advocating and noted that other provinces have taken decisive actions to provide relief.

“I have been asking the Liberals to take action since November, but they only give excuses. Unlike other provinces, Premier Furey and Minister Coady are content to give excuses. This week, Quebec was the latest province to provide tangible relief offering residents who make less than $100,000 per year a $500 payment,” said Wakeham.

“The Minister has said that she has $70 million in extra revenue. She should be using this to implement a home heating rebate program, reduce the taxation of gasoline, and defer the Carbon Tax. The Minister says she doesn’t control taxation in Newfoundland and Labrador. I think the Minister should look at her office door and remind herself who is Finance Minister of our province.”

With the Budget just two weeks away, Wakeham vowed to continue advocating for a real plan to tackle the cost of living.

“The Liberals are the beneficiaries of unexpected revenue as a result of rising oil prices, the Liberals should be striking a balance, allocating some revenue to deficit reduction but also allocating money to ensure that Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are not suffering,” said Wakeham.

“The people of Newfoundland and Labrador will not let the Liberals get away with doing nothing to help ease the cost of living. I will continue to push for a real and effective cost of living plan. While the Liberal Government continues to collect extra revenue, it is Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who continue to pay the price.”

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Contacts:

David Maher

Director of Strategic Communications

(cell) 709-725-0984

DavidMaher@gov.nl.ca