SYDNEY RIVER - The local Liberal Member of Parliament insists that his party's about-face on carbon-pricing for home heating oil customers in Atlantic Canada is driven by the needs of East Coast residents and not by polls showing declining support for the governing party in the region and across Canada. 

Cape Breton-Canso MP Mike Kelloway recently joined Kings-Hants MP Kody Blois and Central Nova MP Sean Fraser - also the federal Minister of Immigration - to help Prime Minister Justin Trudeau unveil a three-year pause of carbon-pricing for home heating oil customers in the Atlantic Provinces. 

The late-October announcement also confirmed that homeowners whose household income is at or below the median level will be eligible for a free heat-pump installation. These Atlantic Canadians will also see an additional $250 in bonus incentive credits if they choose to switch from home heating oil to heat pumps. Those above the median household income will get the opportunity for a heat-pump installation loan that will be repayable over ten years.

Kelloway, who described himself as "one of the leaders on" the new initiatives, said these plans were already in place well before the launch of the Liberals' national carbon-pricing programs on July 1. He also refuted claims that the three-year pause on home heating oil in Atlantic Canada was in response to the lead that the opposition Conservatives have taken in opinion polls across the country, including the Maritimes, a region that the governing Liberals have traditionally dominated. 

Also on TELILE 24/7 this week, we speak to Richmond District One Councillor Shawn Samson about his recent selection as the county's new Deputy Warden. Samson will serve in this position during the final year of his first term in office. 

While he pointed out that "a lot can happen" between the present day and the September 2024 deadline to file his nomination for the municipal election slated to be held the following month, Samson said he fully expects to re-offer for a second term.