New Brunswickers need better solutions to offset the rising cost of living, and fuel in particular, according to a member of the Green Party of New Brunswick.
In an interview with Global News, Kent North MLA Kevin Arseneau said that while people across government are feeling the pressure, there have been no meaningful conversations about solutions.
“We have a government that still refuses to…acknowledge that some people are going through a difficult time. That is why the lack of action on this issue is very worrying,” said Arseneau.
As of Friday afternoon, the top gas price in New Brunswick was just over $2.02, and the most drivers could pay for diesel was about $2.08.
Read more:
Economist questions inflation approach of Atlantic provinces
In its latest update, Statistics Canada indicated that New Brunswick’s Consumer Price Index had risen 8.8 per cent compared to the same period last year. For comparison, this tied the province with Nova Scotia for the second largest increase, behind only Prince Edward Island.
“We can’t control inflation at the provincial level, but we can definitely control the aid being provided to New Brunswickers,” Arseneau said.
In June, the provincial government unveiled $20 million in financial aid for low-income families, individuals and seniors to weather the financial strain.
However, the Emergency Food and Fuel Benefit only provided a one-time payment of a maximum of $450.
Read more:
NB announces $20 million for low-income residents as inflation rises in Canada
The province said that at the time the program was announced, more than 75,000 residents would be eligible.
St. John’s resident Preston Muise said Friday that as he fills up his gas tank, the prices are “ridiculous,” saying more should be done to ease the pain.
“Cut some of the taxes that are on him. You know, we’re taxing death to death on fuel, it’s ridiculous, every day just to drive. Now you tend to walk more than drive, you can’t afford to drive,” Muise said.
Temporarily waiving the HST on gas is one of Arseneau’s proposed ideas that can be implemented to provide immediate relief.
However, he stated that there must also be long-term solutions to avoid falling back into a similar situation.
Recently, provincial Green party leaders issued a call for a windfall tax on oil and gas companies to redistribute funds directly to Canadians.
“What Prime Minister Higgs needs to do is… go talk to our federal counterparts about it and make it a priority. But right now, he doesn’t seem to want to make that a priority, so he’s on the back burner,” Arseneau noted.
Arseneau said the provincial government has failed to recognize that rising costs are a high-pressure problem for New Brunswickers, and attempts at a solution have left many members of the working class in a bind.
© 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.