N.B. to provide financial assistance to some, focusing on low-income earners
New Brunswick is planning a targeted approach for those who need help battling rising food and gas prices, focusing on low-income earners.
"We don't want it to be something that takes a long time to roll out,” New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs told reporters Friday.
“We want it to hit those most vulnerable so it is really hitting the families that are being impacted the most from the high cost of energy that's leading into high costs of everything else."
However, it sounds as though that support might not be for everyone.
"We recognize that there are vulnerable areas with the seven-plus per cent inflation fuel prices that are affecting grocery stores, affecting everything, and we need to find a path here. At least a temporary program that will kind of take the shock out of the system,” Higgs said.
The cost-of-living these days has some New Brunswickers wondering why the province is only planning to help low-income earners.
"I can't see it being a help to me, unless you're on social assistance or something, it might help them, and they're going to need help, because right now, I feel sorry for anybody with a family,” said Terry Boyd as he filled his truck with gas on Friday.
As rising costs start piling up, Fredericton's Greener Village, a food bank among other things, has seen a rise in demand over the past couple of months.
"We've been really busy here; we've seen 1,000 extra people compared to a typical month - the same month last year. So, a pretty steep incline,” said Alex Boyd, the executive director of the Greener Village.
“That creates about 400 extra food hampers in the month of April, compared to 2021,” Boyd said.
Inflation is also making it harder to keep food bank shelves stocked.
"The purchasing that we like to do, we can't get the same rates that we were getting, gas prices go up for food bank vehicles too,” Boyd said.
“So, it's really a double whammy trying to meet the need, the extra need, when the prices are rising for us as well."
The Liberal opposition's finance critic hopes the Higgs government will keep to their word next week and commit to helping people who are pinching their pennies.
"I think its time that Higgs has to step up his government, has to step up for New Brunswickers who are facing huge cost-of-living increases, and if he is actually going to follow through, it's welcome news for us,” Rob McKee said.
Last week in legislature, parties could not agree on whether to debate a way for government to help New Brunswickers.
"We spent a lot of time this week looking at options that we can have for targeted support, to folks that are seeing, not only the gas prices, but the impacts of gas prices through commodities and inflation on many other items. So, I expect to roll something out this week in that regard,” Higgs said.
The premier says an announcement on assistance will come next week.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada's 'unprecedented' fire season linked to climate change, will be the new normal: scientists
At the moment, wildfires are burning across six provinces and one territory in Canada — and they’re still spreading in what’s being called an unprecedented fire season. While firefighters work tirelessly to battle the merciless flames and prevent further destruction, scientists say the wildfires are linked to climate change and that this will be the new normal.

Trudeau raises Poland's democratic backsliding as prime minister visits Toronto
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he raised concerns about reports that LGBTQ2S+ rights and democracy are under threat in Poland during a Friday visit with its prime minister, Mateusz Morawiecki, in Toronto.
Air Canada says to expect further travel disruptions following Thursday's IT issues
Air Canada says travellers should be prepared for further flight disruptions as it works to return service to normal following a technical malfunction Thursday.
'Torch has been passed': What younger generations need to know about inheriting a family cottage
As more Canadians pass their family cottages down to the next generation, 'major shifts' in the ownership of recreational homes will occur, according to Re/Max. But amid concerns around the cost of housing, some may be wondering whether they can afford to keep that family cottage. Here's what younger generations need to know about inheriting a recreational property and the market today.
'Utterly disgusting': Canadian Army sergeant fined for 'anti-Jewish' comments
A 38-year-old sergeant in the Canadian Army was fined $3,000 and issued a severe reprimand after he made what a military judge described as 'utterly disgusting' anti-Jewish comments while conducting an infantry training course in 2021.
Poilievre tries to head off PPC vote as Bernier bets on social conservatives
Pierre Poilievre is off to Manitoba to rally Conservative supporters ahead of a byelection that Maxime Bernier is hoping will send him back to Parliament. The far-right People's Party of Canada leader lost his Quebec seat in the 2019 federal vote and lost again in the 2021 election.
Experts warn of 'rapid' growth of IBD as number of Canadians diagnosed set to reach 470K by 2035
The number of people in Canada with inflammatory bowel disease is increasing rapidly and is expected to grow to 470,000 by 2035, according to a new report from Crohn's and Colitis Canada.
Trudeau continues to stand by David Johnston despite calls that he step down
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he is committed to keeping David Johnston in place as Canada's special rapporteur on foreign interference, despite a majority of MPs voting in favour of his stepping down from the gig.
Camping during fire season? Here's some things you should know
With dry conditions preventing people from having campfires across the country, some may wonder what they can bring into a campground or if there are alternatives to the traditional flames.