Blaine Higgs: Making life more affordable for New Brunswickers

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New Brunswickers are feeling the pain of the rising cost of living. 

Every day, difficult decisions are being made. In many cases, people are making heartbreaking choices between putting food on the table, heating their homes or paying their bills. 

Much of this turmoil can be directly attributed to the federal government’s misguided carbon tax and clean fuel regulations. This policy is putting an unnecessary strain on people’s wallets and driving up the cost of everything.

While pausing the tax on home heating oil is a good start, we need relief for everyone, across all types of home heating costs. Until further adjustments are made – or it’s scrapped all together – we will continue to feel the impacts of this financial burden.    

New Brunswickers need help. That’s why, over the last five years, our government has been taking decisive action to make life more affordable and to build a stronger province.  

Rising energy costs are a growing concern in many households. We have extended NB Power’s debt repayment schedule to 2029 to reduce the energy costs on ratepayers. We are providing people living on low-income social assistance with $550 a year through the Emergency Fuel Benefit. Eligible homeowners can save as much as $500 annually in energy costs by making their homes more energy efficient.  

Seniors in our province are especially vulnerable to rising costs, as many are living on a fixed income. To support them, in 2024, we are increasing the Low-Income Seniors Benefit from $400 to $600. As well, we have lowered the percentage of household income required to fund residential care for a spouse or partner from 60 per cent to 40 per cent. This means more income will stay with the individual who continues to live at home.

The effects of the rising cost of living are being felt in the post-secondary education sector as well. Students are the leaders of tomorrow and are important to the future of this province. That’s why we have invested $7.6 million to support them by adjusting maximum amounts under the NB Student Loan and the NB Bursary. We have also eliminated interest on the provincial student loan. 

While these measures are helping, we know more needs to be done. We are mindful that our population is quickly approaching a historic high of 850,000 people. While this is exciting news, it has put a strain on our housing stock. To meet the demand, we launched a housing strategy that outlines our 10-year plan to ensure New Brunswickers have access to safe, affordable, and appropriate housing.

Early next year, we will be launching a rent bank to give eligible renters quick access to small, short-term, interest-free loans. This will give peace of mind to those who are at risk of eviction or in need of first and last months’ rent.

New Brunswickers on social assistance have increased access to affordable housing thanks to the updated Household Income Policy to allow roommates to be assessed separately and receive their own cheques. Social assistance rates and further increases will be tied to the growth in the provincial Consumer Price Index for all clients receiving this support.  

As well, we are helping people who are facing homelessness by investing $3 million to fund 207 emergency shelter beds at 14 transition houses.  

These are some of the many steps we are taking to ease the burden on the people of this province. 

Despite the challenges imposed by federal government, I can assure New Brunswickers we are addressing affordability. We are committed to standing up for New Brunswick’s interests and building vibrant and sustainable communities right here at home.

Our work continues. We’re not done yet.

Blaine Higgs is the Premier of New Brunswick