Finance
November 25, 2014

The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Ross Wiseman, Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board:

Home Heating Rebate Helping Meet the Costs of Staying Warm

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in this House today to advise Honourable Members on the progress of this year’s Home Heating Rebate program. The Home Heating Rebate helps thousands of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians each winter.

This year, the Home Heating Rebate, along with the Residential Energy Rebate, will see a combined total investment of $62 million. The Home Heating Rebate is available to residents of the province who directly incur costs to heat their home. Eligible households with an adjusted family income of $35,000 or less qualify for a maximum rebate of $250 – with a maximum rebate of $500 for coastal Labrador. The Residential Energy Rebate is available to all households in Newfoundland and Labrador and provides a point-of-sale rebate equivalent to the eight per cent provincial portion of the 13 per cent Harmonized Sales Tax charged on consumption of energy for residential purposes.

Mr. Speaker, as a government, we are extremely proud of both the Home Heating Rebate and the Residential Energy Rebate. These important programs put cash back into the hands of individuals and families, helping them meet the costs of staying warm.

I am pleased to inform Honourable Members that since launching this year’s Home Heating Rebate program in October, applications received are on par with last year and staff at the Department of Finance are now approving applications and issuing rebates.

Mr. Speaker, we continue to ensure that several avenues are available for people to access applications for the Home Heating Rebate. Details and application forms can be found on the Department of Finance website, by calling toll-free at 1-855-223-7432, or emailing homeheatprogram@gov.nl.ca. Application forms have also appeared in newspapers, at regional offices of the Department of Advanced Education and Skills, Service NL Centres across the province and the Seniors Resource Centre in St. John’s.

Mr. Speaker, last year, approximately 58,000 households received rebates from the Home Heating Rebate program. Once again, this program is helping people throughout Newfoundland and Labrador meet the cost of heating their homes and staying warm.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

2014 11 25                        1:45 p.m.