The provincial government is offering a one-time subsidy for residents on the coast of Labrador who heat their homes with stove oil.
The subsidy will be available during the annual winter price freeze when no fuel shipments are made to the region.
Premier Tony Wakeham says the Winter Fuel Subsidy will be available to residents of seven coastal communities – Nain, Natuashish, Hopedale, Makkovik, Rigolet, Postville, and Black Tickle.
Labrador Affairs Minister and MHA for Torngat Mountains, who represents the north coast of Labrador, was emotional when describing the impact of added fuel costs for the people of her district.
Minister Lela Evans (CPAC)
She recalled being approached by a man whose elderly mother was spending her entire income on stove oil and was only able to survive through the help of family members.
She outlined another incident where a teacher learned the reason why a child refused to go home.
“What she found out was that her home was too cold; she didn’t want to leave school,” Evans said choking back tears.
She said the subsidy will go further by allowing people unable to heat their own homes to get their children back from care. “How can you get your kids back if you can’t afford to heat your house?”
