Mr. Speaker, every day I receive desperate messages from seniors, unemployed workers and low-income constituents who live in fear regarding how they will manage their energy bills. Electricity rates alone have increased more than 26% in Ontario under the current provincial government.
People, especially seniors and lower income families, are falling further and further behind. The reality is without immediate government action, many of these people will lose their homes. I therefore call on the government to adopt the NDP proposal to take the federal portion of the HST off home heating costs and give Canadians a break on their utility bills.
The government has utterly failed Canadians when it comes to pension protection, environmental protection, job creation and respect for our veterans. Canadians do not ask for much, but they do have every right to expect a government that is prepared to look after bread and butter pocketbook issues. Some tax relief on energy bills would go a long way to keep the wolf from the door.