Featured letter: NBers can't continue with inflation costs

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So our residential power rates are increasing by 13 per cent, more or less, on April 1, the same date regular gasoline at the pump will increase to a minimum of $1.80/l under the federal government’s carbon tax legislation. I found it hard to contemplate such levels of price escalation as I was still reeling from a 20 per cent increase in my residential tax assessment for 2024.

I considered a formal appeal and sought information and was advised, even though no building permits reflected improvements to our home, that we were ‘down line’ victims and bearers of much higher sale prices in the Cornwall Point area of Shediac and, similarly in all of Greater Moncton. In addition, even after two consecutive years of record tax base expansion in the same communities, municipal tax rates increased… and do not forget your annual, incremental increases in your water and sewer bills.

Despite news stories suggesting grocery prices are starting to decrease on some items, in relative terms, they continue to increase; as an example, a major soup manufacturer, along with the grocer, tagged a small can of mushroom soup at $1.89 per can. That is hardly an illustration of decrease and ‘chains of supply’ are no longer a factual justification and for those of you who have your health benefit/hospital options provider with the largest underwriter prepare to receive your notice of rate increase issued via a cold, impersonal and incongruous rationale for the increase in your monthly payments.

To our political leadership at all levels, members of the federal and provincial cabinets, mayors and councillors, secure a copy of the list of NB Power mid-managers and above who earn more than $175,000 per year. Or don’t do it for fear of a stroke as your blood pressure will skyrocket…

Ladies and gentlemen referenced, start heeding the words of Peter Finch in the film Network: “We are mad as hell and we’re not going to take it anymore.”

Mike Sullivan

Shediac