For Immediate Release
2 December, 2022
NL NDP Leader and MHA for St. John’s Centre, Jim Dinn, is calling on government to provide cost of living support that addresses systemic poverty. The NL NDP has been receiving calls from community groups expressing concern that cost of living relief cheques are not enough, and often are not reaching the most vulnerable people.
“If you’re two feet under water, raising you up by six inches isn’t going to stop you drowning,” said Dinn. “People are struggling under inflation, and it’s only set to get worse. If the Liberal Government is choosing to give away $194M in one time cheques it shows us this government doesn’t understand systemic poverty.”
The NL NDP offers solutions to Liberal Government for cost of living relief.
1. Remove HST off of home heating
2. Expedite the increase of minimum wage
3. Increase income assistance to the cost of living, and tie them to inflation
4. Implement effective housing first strategy, as was committed in 2015
5. Provide dental coverage for seniors
“In a province where 1 in 4 children are going hungry while the Premier meets with former British Prime Ministers for pep talks, and hosts $500 a plate dinners, we must do better.”
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For further information, contact Eddy St. Coeur, Director of Communications, NDP Caucus at 729-2137 (o), or eddystcoeur@gov.nl.ca