Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I want to talk about the negative impact of the low-water surcharge on one of my constituents, Mr. Albert Wilson, and his wife Mary Wilson. Mr. Wilson is 74 years old, his wife Mary is 75 years old. Mr. Wilson is totally disabled. He has to use oxygen equipment 24 hours a day.
Before the low-water surcharge, the highest he ever paid in his small house was $162 for power. He has paid this month, $184.50 for power. The cost of using his oxygen system is $50 a month. I and others have asked this government for support to give Mr. Wilson some assistance for the use of his oxygen equipment. It hasn't been forthcoming; I will ask again, I will follow up on this issue.
But, Mr. Speaker, the issue here is that many of these increases are hitting the people least able to afford them. I really hope that this government takes into consideration there are people out there who cannot afford to pay these exorbitant increases in power rates and need some assistance for legitimate medical problems. I hope that the government, who supported the increase, and supported the low-water surcharge at the same time that they supported those increases will also look to giving the necessary support to those people who cannot afford these increases. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.