Energy Poverty - QP

CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : Mr. Speaker, my question is also for the Premier. Here's a fact about which there is no mystery: We have one of the highest energy poverty rates in the country. Nearly 150,000 households in Nova Scotia are paying more than they can afford on home energy - and I'll table that. In fact, the Premier referenced energy poverty when he said earlier this year that schools need to be open because that's "the place where children are most warm." And I will table that.

My question for the Premier, which I hope he'll answer, is: Wouldn't he agree that the knowledge that some families can't afford to keep their homes heated demands immediate action to lower home energy bills?

THE PREMIER « » : There are a number of issues facing Nova Scotians and I would agree that they are all very serious, like food security, energy security - there are a number of issues facing Nova Scotians. We're doing what we can as a government. I think Nova Scotians see that. We can always do more.

Today we announced some changes to the HARP program. The member might not have had a chance to see those yet and to understand the positive impact that will have on a number of Nova Scotians. We take the issue very, very seriously and we do what we can on behalf of Nova Scotians every single day.

CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : Mr. Speaker, Nova Scotians were shocked earlier this year to learn, as we've been discussing, that Nova Scotia Power is proposing to raise residential rates by 10 per cent within the next three years. Between sky-high housing prices, volatile rates at the pumps, and groceries becoming more expensive by the day, many people have no idea how they will pay for higher bills.

My question is: Notwithstanding the programs announced today, will the Premier go beyond short-term small fixes, recognize the problem, and commit long-term to ensuring that no household in this province is left in the cold because they can't access affordable energy?

THE PREMIER « » : Mr. Speaker, I completely reject the premise that the significant investments this government has made to support Nova Scotians are small. I completely reject the premise that they're insignificant. I think they're very significant in the lives of Nova Scotians. I think if the member was honest about the steps we've taken in so many areas around supporting . . .

THE SPEAKER « » : Order, please. The Premier cannot express whether a person is honest or not, so I'd ask him to withdraw that.

THE PREMIER « » : For that particular use - I apologize for that - any objective observer who looked at the steps we've taken as a government to support so many Nova Scotians. I could talk about CCAs, I could talk about a number of programs that we've taken, issues that have been sitting on the desk waiting for somebody to have the courage to deal with.

They found those people who have the courage to deal with the issues. They're sitting on this side of the House in a PC government, and we will continue to do more and more for Nova Scotians every single day.