A local financial advisor says he’s surprised that higher-level income earners are being included for receipt of a $500 dollar government cheque to address the rising cost of living.

The province announced this week that everyone who earns $100,000 dollars or less and filed an income tax receipt last year, will be eligible for the benefit.

Cheques are expected to be in people’s hands before Christmas.

Larry Short, Senior Investment Advisor with Short Financial a branch of IA Private Wealth in St. John’s, says there are many priorities that the provincial government has to work on.

Short says he wasn’t aware that individuals making more than $75,000 dollars were that much in need of $500 dollars extra.

As far as economic stimulation goes, Short says lower-income earners are more likely to spend the cash and stimulate growth than higher-income earners who will likely save it.

He understands that trying to find an income cut-off point is debatable, but he’s surprised by the high limit set.

He says while the attempt to address the rising cost of living is “commendable” he would have liked to have seen a more targeted program for individuals struggling on lower incomes.