News release

Province Gives to Salvation Army's Good Neighbour Energy Fund

Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations (Oct. 2000 - March 2014)

More than 2,000 Nova Scotia families will find it easier to heat their homes this winter thanks to a $400,000 donation by the province to the Salvation Army's Good Neighbour Energy Fund.

The funding, announced today, Dec. 20, by Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations Minister John MacDonell, will help low-income Nova Scotians heat their homes in emergency situations.

"We all want safe, warm homes for ourselves and our families. But even with home-heating help from the Your Energy Rebate and the Heating Assistance Rebate Program, some families are struggling to heat their homes," said Mr. MacDonell. "Making life better for families is a priority for government and, together with the Salvation Army, this is one of the ways we're helping families make ends meet."

The program helps with all forms of home heating, including firewood, coal, oil, propane and electricity, although the majority of requests are for oil and electricity. The benefit is paid as a credit that is applied to an energy supplier's account on behalf of the person receiving it. In 2011, almost 2,000 low-income Nova Scotians across the province requested home-heating help from the Good Neighbour Energy Fund.

"We are grateful for the announcement today that the province will support the Good Neighbour Energy Fund for the fifth consecutive year," said Major Doug Hefford, divisional commander of The Salvation Army. "This donation is significant, as it will assist numerous Nova Scotian families facing emergency heating situations this coming winter season. We value our partnership with the government and look forward to another successful program."

The Good Neighbour Energy Fund was started in 1997 by Nova Scotia Power employees. The province came on board in 2008, and has made annual donations since then. The program runs from January to April. Application forms will be available in January at www.salvationarmy.ca/maritime/gnef/ , MLA offices, and Salvation Army Churches and Thrift Stores.

For more information on the Your Energy Rebate and the Heating Assistance Rebate Program, visit www.gov.ns.ca/snsmr .