Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston speaks in Halifax, on March 21.Andrew Vaughan/The Canadian Press
Nova Scotia has announced $115.4-million in new funding to help low– and middle-income earners with inflation.
Premier Tim Houston says the bulk of the one-time funding – $100-million – will go to the province’s heating assistance rebate program.
He says the new money will increase the home heating rebate this winter to $1,000 from $200.
Houston says he is also increasing the maximum eligibility threshold for heating assistance to households with net incomes of $85,000 – a move expected to help an additional 100,000 families.
As well, the premier says $6.7-million will go toward one-time payments of $250 to Nova Scotians on income assistance and of $1,000 before Christmas to full-time foster families.
The remaining $8.7-million is earmarked for grants to community organizations, such as food banks, family resource centres and transition houses.