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Finance
June 7, 2012

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

Home Heating Rebate Continues to Assist with Rising Energy Costs

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure today to provide an update on the Home Heating Rebate program which continues to benefit thousands of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians every year by helping them deal with home energy costs.

The Home Heating Rebate is available to residents of the province whose adjusted family income in 2010 was $40,000 or less and who have directly incurred costs to heat their home. Regardless of the energy source, eligible households on the island receive a maximum rebate of $250 while those in coastal Labrador communities can receive up to $500, depending on income level.

Mr. Speaker, as of May 28 more than 61,300 rebates have been issued for the 2011-12 heating season totalling over $15 million. This can be compared to 2004-05 when just 13,500 rebates were issued worth $3.4 million. Since this government presented its first budget in 2004, approximately 438,000 rebates have been provided to residents of the province at a value of over $105 million.

All applications for the rebate are received and processed by the Home Heating Rebate office in Grand Falls-Windsor which was opened early in 2010. I commend the staff at the office who efficiently handle tens of thousands of application forms each year while also answering enquiries related to the program. The office provides similar services for the Parental Benefits Program and the Residential Energy Rebate.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to make it clear that the Home Heating Rebate and the Residential Energy Rebate are two completely independent programs. The Residential Energy Rebate sees the elimination of the provincial portion of the HST on home energy for all residents, regardless of income, who are invoiced for energy use in their residences. In most cases the rebate is applied at point of sale and the savings can be seen directly on the invoice. Many people are able to take advantage of both rebates.

If a resident believes they are entitled to receive the Home Heating Rebate, I encourage them to submit an application as soon as possible. The deadline for the 2011-12 rebate is September 30, 2012. Information, including the required form, can be found on the Department of Finance’s website.

Thank you Mr. Speaker.

2012 06 07             1:45 p.m.

 
 
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