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Province increases funding to home heating program

There will be more support available in 2017 for Islanders in urgent need of home heating fuel.

Annual contribution to Salvation Army program — which helps families in need — now more than $135K

CBC News ·
FILE-In this Jan. 2, 2008 file photo, Wayne Holland of the Suburban Propane company delivers oil in Barre, Vt. More than a decade ago, Vermont began taxing electric bills to pay for a statewide energy efficiency program that's widely regarded as a big success. Now, there's a push to apply the same principle to home heating. A recent report from a task force assembled by the Department of Public Service estimated that to raise $30 million for expanded weatherization, programs would mean a tax on oil of about 12 cents per gallon. But advocates say the savings for consumers could be much larger.
The Salvation Army home heating program has helped an average of 343 households per year since it began in 2008, the province says. (Toby Talbot/AP)

There will be more support available in 2017 for Islanders in urgent need of home heating fuel.

The Salvation Army offers the annual home heating program — which is supported by the PEI Petroleum Marketers Association and the provincial government — to help Island families most in need.

Additional $15K

The province has announced it will increase its annual contribution of more than $120,000 by an additional $15,000.

"We are very aware of the pressures that heating costs can create for Island families and we want to ensure families are warm in their homes," said Family and Human Services Minister Tina Mundy.

Helps 343 households a year

The program was created in 2008 in response to escalating costs of energy prices. Since then, government says it has provided more than $1.2 million to this program and has helped an average of 343 households per year.

Islanders can contact the Salvation Army any time after the Christmas season for information on how to apply for the 2017 heating season.

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