The government’s decision, to not strengthen family life for vulnerable children and youth through core investments, will significantly impact our province’s child protective services, writes Alec Stratford, executive director of the NS College of Social Workers in this excellent piece on this week’s provincial budget.
This year’s provincial budget does very little for people on income assistance. The government keeps Income assistance rates the same, while it offers a few crumbs to point to when criticized.
News release: The ACE (Advocates for the Care of the Elderly) Team is very disappointed that the new Provincial Budget does little to address long, overdue needs in long-term care.
According to ACE Team Chair, Gary MacLeod, “While this Budget is supposed to be about “Stronger Services and Supports”, this is clearly not being done for long-term care. Expanding the Caregiver Benefit program or increasing the Seniors Safety grant program does little to improve or provide more long-term care”
Media release: “10 months after an election where the ongoing crisis in health care was a defining issue and we get another budget that offers no significant measures to make sure that Nova Scotians have the health care they need,” said Nova Scotia Health Coalition spokesperson Chris Parsons.
A coalition of anti poverty activists and community groups wants premier Stephen McNeil to understand that current income assistance rates are really inadequate. And they need your help in order to get that message across.
Media release: The Nova Scotia College of Social Workers (NSCSW) is urging the N.S. government to invest in supports to strengthen family life for vulnerable children and youth in their submission to Budget Talks 2018. “The Nova Scotia Government has a responsibility to our children and youth and must ensure the atrocities of Canada’s colonial and racist past are not repeated. They need to invest wisely to keep vulnerable children and youth in their homes and communities.”
This morning’s launch of the Alternative Budget at Province House shows austerity isn’t the only way to run a province. In fact, it is the worst way.