People can take the bus or drive less in response to higher gas prices. But the thermostat can only be turned down so far when winter comes. It is interesting to note that household spending on private transportation tends to rise as a percentage of total spending as income increases, while spending on household energy costs tends to fall. Most seniors spend much more heating their homes than they do on gas, and low-income households tend to rely more on public transit. No one knows exactly what will happen to home heating costs this winter.
Single households receive a modest supplement in recognition of the higher costs of living alone.
Increasing the GST credit would give some real protection to low and modest income families with children and to seniors, helping them to adequately heat their homes this winter without squeezing already very limited budgets.