Most Canadians are urgently behind rational climate change action. What we are not for is 'solutions' that include elderly and at-risk Canadians freezing or starving in winter because they can't pay for fuel.

My elderly widowed neighbour, on a small fixed income, will be paying more than $3000. for heating oil this year. I grocery shop with her every week, and I have noticed, to my great dismay, that since she negotiated this budgeted price with the oil company, she has severely reduced the amount of groceries she buys. I'll be keeping a close eye on her this winter, and plan on having her in for substantial lunches and teas as often as I can convince this proud woman to come over.

I suggest anyone who can should choose to keep an eye on an elderly friend or neighbour this winter, to make sure they don't risk their health trying to reduce their heating and power bills.

Also, I don't know about other provinces, but Nova Scotia has several 'opt in' programs like the property tax rebate for seniors. I've found several times that some seniors are not aware of these programs. If you know of such, mention them to seniors you know, and if it seems needful, offer to help them get forms or fill out forms. This is also an area where local politicians, municipal councillors, MLAs and MPs can be useful, as they usually know, or their office staff does, what programs can be accessed.