Day surgery and the mandatory ride home is a problem for poor people, as are mental health issues. In this letter anti-poverty advocate Kendall Worth offers excellent solutions to Health minister Randy Delorey.
Fairly often poor people in Halifax get stopped by police and private security guards for involuntary behaviour such as fidgeting and staring at people, behaving as if intoxicated, and talking to themselves in public. In a follow up on earlier stories Kendall Worth spoke with people who submitted formal complaints with police, mall management and even the Human Rights commission.
Kendall Worth writes an open letter to Karen Casey, Nova Scotia’s minister of Finance, to make the case for a social inclusion tax credit and increased mental health spending. “The rates are not enough for income assistance recipients to get out and meet people. Their ability to be involved in their community is limited due to having so very little money to live on. Often this lack of money is causing feelings of social anxiety!”
Kendall on social inclusion, not just during the holidays, but all the time. “Income Assistance recipients see people moving on in life, being financially better off, driving vehicles, being in relationships and living healthy lives. Income Assistance recipients ask, Why can’t it be us?”
Kendall with some thoughts on Christmas, including a handy list of all the soup kitchens serving Christmas dinners. Also some thoughts on a social inclusion tax credit for people on income assistance, much needed help for things like passes for fitness centres.
Bit of a sad story as Kendall meets a young woman who, as so many people on income assistance, lives in social isolation.
Kendall Worth reports on a a bit of a miracle that turns thins around for three tenants facing huge rent increases.
Kendall went to one of the information sessions on the social assistance changes and wasn’t impressed. “This being the holiday season, recipients consider this not a real Christmas present from Community Services,” he writes.
Kendall Worth: “This is a story about a woman in her late twenties who was on income assistance at one time, but no more. We’ll call her Rachel (not her real name).”
Kendall meets up with a sister of a person who is on social assistance and lives with mental health issues. She worries about her brother and wants to better understand the welfare system.