**** CNS Media Release
2022 Property Tax Rebate for Seniors
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Applications for the Property Tax Rebate for Seniors, which helps low-income seniors with their municipal residential property taxes, open Friday, July 1. The program offers eligible seniors a rebate of half of their property taxes, up to $800.
“The Property Tax Rebate for Seniors is one of many government programs we have to help seniors living on a low income,” said Colton LeBlanc, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Internal Services. “We have made it easy to apply for the rebate and hope to encourage as many eligible seniors as possible to get help with their municipal residential property taxes. I encourage everyone who is eligible to apply.”
To qualify for the rebate, seniors need to meet eligibility criteria, including:
— their 2021 municipal residential property taxes are paid in full
— their name is included on the property taxes
— they receive or are eligible to receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) or Guaranteed Income Supplement – Allowance from Service Canada.
Applications are open from July 1 to December 31, 2022. Applicants who received the rebate last year will receive an application by mail.
This year, applicants will also be able to apply for the Heating Assistance Rebate Program on the Property Tax Rebate for Seniors application.
Quick Facts:
— the budget for the 2021 Property Tax Rebate for Seniors program was $8.8 million
— 17,085 senior households received the rebate in 2021, totalling $9.1 million
— the budget for the 2022 program is $9 million
Additional resources:
Property Tax Rebate for Seniors: https://beta.novascotia.ca/apply-property-tax-rebate-property-tax-rebate-seniors
Heating Assistance Rebate Program: https://beta.novascotia.ca/apply-heating-assistance-rebate-heating-assistance-rebate-program
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Funding for Eskasoni First Nation Green Energy Project
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The Province is funding a solar energy generation system for the lobster storage facility at Eskasoni Cold Logistics.
The investment of more than $128,000 will support the development and installation of a 583-kilowatt ground-mounted solar energy system that will reduce overall energy demands and lower energy costs.
“Nova Scotia is a national leader in fighting climate change. Transitioning to more renewable energy sources like solar power helps propel us toward our ambitious goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. This project is a prime example of how community-led projects can help us reach our collective goals,” said Brian Comer, Minister responsible for the Office of Addictions and Mental Health and MLA for Cape Breton East, on behalf of Tory Rushton, Minister of Natural Resources and Renewables.
This project will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide training opportunities for community members in the installation and maintenance of solar energy systems.
The federal government is contributing more than $1.1 million to the project while the Eskasoni First Nation is contributing more than $245,000.
Quotes:
“Reliable infrastructure is key to building stronger and healthier communities. We are proud to partner with the Government of Nova Scotia and the Eskasoni First Nation on this important renewable solar energy project that will create a healthier environment and benefit the community for years to come.”
– Jaime Battiste, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Member of Parliament for Sydney-Victoria, on behalf of Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities
“Eskasoni First Nation is committed to finding ways to grow our renewable energy sector and find sustainable solutions that are environmentally conscious. We are moving towards green energy commercially and residentially and we are proud to do so. As Mi’kmaq, we are always keeping the future generations at the forefront of our decision making in an effort to ensure environmental stewardship.”
– Leroy Denny, Chief of the Eskasoni First Nation
Quick Facts:
— the Province has set a target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 53 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030
— buildings contribute 12 per cent of total greenhouse gas emissions in the province
— the total cost of the Eskasoni Green Energy project is $1,495,691
Additional Resources:
Nova Scotia’s renewable energy plan: https://energy.novascotia.ca/renewables
Investing in Canada Infrastructure Plan: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/icp-publication-pic-eng.html
Federal infrastructure investments in Nova Scotia: https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/prog-proj-ns-eng.html
Investing in Canada Plan project map: https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/gmap-gcarte/index-eng.html
Natural Resources and Renewables on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NS_DNRR
