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Fuel subsidy remains
Seniors will continue to qualify through coming winter
Zone 1 - $30,744 and under: Dettah, Enterprise, Fort Smith, Fort Providence, Fort Resolution, Fort Simpson, Fort Liard, Hay River, Inuvik, Kakisa, Rae-Edzo, Reliance, Yellowknife
Zone 2 - $35,000 and under: Aklavik, Tsiigehtchic, Bathurst Inlet, Arviat, Bay Chimo, Kugluktuk, Fort McPherson, Fort Norman, Wha Ti, Nahanni Butte, Norman Wells, Gameti, Rankin Inlet
Zone 3 - $39,000 and under: all other communities
NNSL (June 13/97) - The GNWT's proposed elimination of the seniors fuel subsidy has been headed off at the pass, for now.
And this move has been applauded by Northern seniors.
"We're very satisfied with the liaison they've (the GNWT) had with us," said Esther Braden, president of the NWT Seniors Society. "We pretty well got what we were looking for."
Braden said the department met with seniors before and during their seniors advisory council board meeting at the beginning of May to discuss subsidy changes.
In announcing the changes, which come into effect Sept. 1, Culture, Education and Employment Minister Charles Dent said the consultation with seniors and the standing committee on social programs was the driving force behind the subsidy's new lease on life.
Under the new plan, the heating fuel subsidy, which cost the government about $400,000 last year, will continue at least for the coming winter.
Ordinary MLAs concerned
During discussion of the budget earlier this year, ordinary members called for the government to rethink plans to eliminate the subsidy, once given to all NWT seniors who own their own homes.
At the time, Dent said the elimination of the program was part of a revamping of the income support program.
Yellowknife North MLA Roy Erasmus moved a motion directing Dent to reinstate the program, increase the minimum-income threshold and take into account variations in the cost of living in different parts of the territories.
Earlier this month, Dent unveiled a plan that met all three requirements.
Under the new plan, eligibility for the subsidy is based on household income, rather than individual income.
The new income thresholds represent a dramatic rise from the $12,972 per individual that the government had proposed after backing down on its attempt to eliminate it altogether.
In announcing the new plan, Dent said funds from within the department's budget will be used to cover the cost of the subsidy.
Dana Heidi, director of income support for the department, noted the fuel subsidy is one of the least expensive income-support items.
Included in the program's $60-million budget are social assistance, student financial assistance, day-care user subsidies and seniors supplementary benefits. |