The Opposition is accusing government of failing to act in addressing the high cost of living for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

Opposition Finance critic Tony Wakeham says the cost of living in the province has increased by 4.5 per cent, according to Statistics Canada.

That includes increases in the cost of food, gasoline and home heating fuel.

Wakeham says if the provincial government does not act, residents will have to make “difficult choices.”

He suggests that government review tax rates on gas and home heating fuel, and ask the PUB to review the 5 cents per litre charged on gas to cover the cost of importing gas while Come by Chance is not producing.

He also suggests delaying the implementation of the so-called sugar tax, and commit to not increasing taxes as recommended in the PERT report, among other measures to help reduce costs to residents.