The group’s New Brunswick chapter has called on the provincial government to introduce a free air conditioner program for low-income renters.
One downtown Moncton resident on a fixed income said that she recently purchased a used A/C unit for about $100. That modest purchase meant that she had to cut back on groceries.
Robinson said there isn’t enough support available for low-income renters who are making hard choices between utility payments, groceries and rent.
Many older people suffer “because they’re afraid to turn on their air conditioning unit, because they can’t afford the hydro bill as it is,” she added.
Last week, NB Power launched a new program providing rebates to landlords for energy efficiency upgrades, including the installation of devices such as heat pumps.
Tenants’ rights advocates have argued that the program doesn’t guarantee benefits to renters, and that landlords might use it as a pretext for rent hikes.
I understand all that but what about the landlord’s electricity bill? On one hand it’s vulnerable people’s lives but on the other it’s the landlord’s rents. We have to be careful when deciding such issues. Perhaps we let the market figure it out.
I understand all that but what about the landlord’s electricity bill? On one hand it’s vulnerable people’s lives but on the other it’s the landlord’s rents. We have to be careful when deciding such issues. Perhaps we let the market figure it out.
...
/sarcasm