Natural gas price hikes a concern.

• Author: GOULIQUER, DIANNE
• Position: Brief Article - Statistical Data Included

Low and modest-income families faced with soaring heating costs this winter are getting some help from the Government of Canada, but businesses will be left out in the cold.

Relief for heating expenses cheques, intended to cushion the impact of high heating costs, were to start making their way to eligible Canadian individuals and families beginning Jan. 31. The benefit - $125 for an individual and $250 per family - goes to anyone who was eligible for a GST credit in January 2001.

About 11 million people are expected to benefit from the rebate, which is costing the government $1.34 billion.

Officials with the Ministry of Finance report the $125 figure was calculated based on a series of studies reviewing the rate of increase in home heating costs. The Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA) is responsible for administering the "relief for heating expenses" cheques.

Michel Proulx, a spokesperson for the CCRA says every Canadian who was entitled to any GST rebate in 2000 will receive the heating benefit.

For an individual, the GST credit is phased out at an income level of $32,500. For a family of four with one wage earner, the credit disappears at an income level of $45,000.

"Some people might have calculated a GST credit of $2 or less for the year," he says. "We don't normally charge or refund anything that's under $2, but those people will still be entitled (to the heating rebate).

"There are also situations where an individual's GST credit for an entire year is $100 or less; we usually give that in one lump sum. They would have received that last July. Those people will also be entitled because they got their January GST credit last July."

But skyrocketing heating costs are not just affecting homeowners; businesses are being hit hard as well, yet they will not be compensated for their higher-than-normal heating costs, nor will they receive any help to cover rising gas and diesel fuel prices.

"Everybody is hurting; the whole economy is hurting," Kakabeka Crystal Spring Water owner...