Letter of the week

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Speak Up

Editor's note: This open letter was sent to provincial Energy Minister Jack Keir, as well as Premier Shawn Graham and all MLAs.

Dear Honourable Minister,

I write on behalf of the Coalition for Seniors and Nursing Home Residents' Rights, representing over 50 groups with a make up of over 100,000 members in the province of New Brunswick.

We have learned through the media that your government is replacing the established home heating assistance program by turning to the private sector to help low-income New Brunswickers. The heating program has always been managed by the province and it should continue to be managed by public funds.

The Coalition is completely opposed to the government disengagement of its social responsibilities by turning over the reins to the private sector. As reported, the new program will receive 50% of its financing from the government and the other, from funds coming from the private sector.

If our information is correct, the program will be managed by the Salvation Army. To have this program administered by a non profit organization is troublesome.

We do not accept that the management of a governmental program be given to a community organization be it religious or otherwise. This is a government responsibility. It is a matter of social justice and not one of charity.

Seniors in New Brunswick already experience hardship by the government's downloading of senior care to private agencies where workers receive poor working conditions, no benefits and, for most, not even a livable income.

Seniors suffer as a result of not having quality care. For these reasons we ask that you reconsider your proposal. It would be more appropriate and beneficial to seniors and New Brunswickers to put together a governmental heating aid program similar to the one in Nova Scotia.

Their program has been available for over a month and offers assistance to more people who meet the income related criteria and covers all forms of energy.

All MLA's must be accountable to the electorate for such changes if you decide to proceed with this proposal. I look forward to your response in this regard.

Sincerely,

Cecile Cassista

Executive Director

Coalition for Seniors and Nursing Home Residents' Rights