Nova Scotia seniors’ advocates fearful of power rate hike impact – Halifax | 24CA News
Fears are being raised for seniors in Nova Scotia, after a 14-per cent energy price hike over the subsequent two years was introduced.
Advocates say weak individuals are already struggling to make ends meet on mounted incomes and fear seniors can be pressured to make powerful selections.
The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (NSAURB) launched its determination on Thursday, approving a seven-per cent enhance for each 2023 and 2024.
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Donalda MacIsaac with the seniors’ advocacy group C.A.R.P. (Canadian Association for Retired Persons) says many are being overlooked within the chilly with their budgets already strapped.
“We can’t age well when every time we turn around, seniors on fixed incomes are being hit,” she says. “This is totally unacceptable.”
MacIsaac says some seniors reduce on their medicine and wholesome meals to assist make ends meet.
“You have to make a choice, my rent, my power bill, or my groceries,” she says. “And when we look at groceries we can’t even afford a loaf of bread half the time.”
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The vice-president of the Nova Scotia Chapter of C.A.R.P agrees instances are difficult.
“This is going to sound like it’s a small thing but it’s not,” Cecil Wright says. “Some seniors will sacrifice feeding their pets and themselves. They’ll reduce their trips to see their friends and family.”
Advocates say because the bitter chilly settles into the area, some may even be confronted with the powerful determination to show up the thermostat or bundle up.
The program coordinator of Spencer House, a Halifax group drop-in centre for seniors, can be apprehensive concerning the enhance in energy payments.
“The first stuff that gets cut is your hobbies and your social life,” Erin Stacknick says. “Once that is cut out of your budget it turns to cutting down on food.”
She says the most important situation they’re listening to from seniors is that it’s a wrestle to place wholesome meals on the desk amid the excessive price of dwelling.
Stacknick provides the drop-in centre provides inexpensive meals and has sources out there to assist folks apply on-line for presidency packages just like the Seniors Care Grant and The Heating Assistance Rebate Program.
“It’s a drop-in centre and it’s free to come to,” she explains. “It’s a great place with a lot of resources and a lot of friends.”
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Member Shelagh Russell says any shift in a senior’s funds to cowl a rise in energy payments can have huge penalties.
“For those on fixed incomes, that’s a lot of money,” she says. “That could be a bus ticket to come to a place like Spencer House that does provide a lot of social activity.”
Both teams need to see extra voices stand up for seniors.
“Somebody has to step in and start protecting the seniors of this province,” MacIsaac says.
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