Kendall Worth reports that Community Services has no plans to stop the annual reviews for people on social assistance. Many recipients feel that the practice is punitive and humiliating, and too often results in cuts.
This morning Tim Blades, anti-poverty advocate, member of BRAG and CASAR, and NS Advocate author, spoke truth to power about the Community Services’ Employment Support and Income Assistance program, better known as welfare or income assistance. Tim did so at Law Amendments, while the Financial Measures Act (this year’s budget) was under the microscope. And oh boy, did he ever tell them a thing or two!
Stella Lord, of the Community Society to End Poverty in Nova Scotia, writes on this year’s budget, and welfare transformation. “nstead of punitive regulations and an outdated categorical budget deficit model that pre-defines “need” but keeps people constantly “in need,” we require a social safety net and service-delivery model worthy of the name. How about one that rests on social justice, human rights, and community well-being?”
News release: CSEP is disappointed that the government has decided to stick with their proposed 5% welfare rate increase for people with disabilities or those fleeing abuse (S.45 clients) and 2% for everyone else. “We are also very disappointed that the SHR and the increases will not come into effect until January 2020” said Stella Lord.
A little something about that legislated deadline to the Boat Harbour closure and how politicians and unions better not mess with it.
Nova Scotia leads the country in the shameful categories of share of the population living in poverty and share of children living in poverty. In fact, child poverty increased in Nova Scotia in 2017. Canada-wide however, poverty stats declined substantially. What’s going on?
Some people on social assistance have jobs, and while you work you are entitled to keep a portion of the money you earn. However employment insurance (EI) benefits and self-employed earnings get clawed back at 100%. Kendall has long said that’s not fair, and now there is a petition you can sign and the NDP is supporting it.
Kendall Worth to Jean-Yves Duclos, the federal Minister of Families, Children and Social Development: Hopefully your plan will go a lot better and things to eliminate poverty will move faster. People living in poverty are suffering.
Late last year I received a response to a Freedom of Information request that has all significant information greyed out. It’s a presentation about cost savings as a result of the Community Services Transformation Project. If a government initiative potentially will save money, possibly at the detriment of service levels, shouldn’t we be allowed to know how so, and how much?
Faith Cronin calls on Stephen McNeil to finally address the lack of community living opportunities for people with disabilities. “To our great shame, Nova Scotia has continued to profoundly exclude and discriminate against persons with disabilities. I call on you to immediately take the bold and ethical actions necessary to end this shameful Nova Scotian legacy.”