Poor people’s election guide
We take a look at the provincial parties’ responses to a social justice questionnaire, zooming in on commitments around welfare and people who work for very low wages. And some other observations.
Welfare transformation
Op-ed: Brendan Maguire, pants on fire
Politicians often take license with the truth, that’s just the way the world works. But sometimes they go too far. Statements by Brendan Maguire, Liberal MLA for Halifax Atlantic, are of that latter variety.
Kendall Worth asks: Was the Liberal government good or bad for people living in poverty?
Kendall Worth argues that the liberal government has been a disappointment for people on welfare. They have done nothing to address the immediate needs of people living in deep poverty, and we know nothing of the welfare transformation except that it moves along with the speed of cold molasses.
Kendall Worth on Community Services: Hey Ho, Minister Joanne Bernard has got to go!
It appears frequent contributor and poverty activist Kendall Worth is not a fan of Minister Joanne Bernard.
Pigeonholed by Community Services? Kendall Worth on work-readiness assessments
Assessed for job readiness by Community Services? Kendall Worth is worried, and he knows what he is talking about because he has been assessed countless times, right from Grade 5 to the present. “If Community Services really wanted to hire a first voice person to design this assessment, I could create this assessment with my own two hands,” says Kendall.
Some people on welfare could receive less in future, presentation suggests
A Community Services presentation suggests that the proposed revamp of social assistance may result in some clients receiving less than they do now. Not to worry, it’s only a scenario for consideration, says the department.
Kendall Worth on welfare transformation: proposed grouping by ability a pretty scary thing
Kendall Worth, who is on social assistance, continues his review of the welfare changes that Community Services is working on. People on welfare will be pigeonholed according to their skills and ability to work, and that’s a scary idea, he writes.
Kendall Worth on welfare transformation consultation: First voices not heard
Kendall Worth, who knows all too well what it is like to be on social assistance, is puzzled about the results of the so-called First Voice consultation conducted by Community Services. “Clients I personally talk to tell me that they got depressed and gave up.”
Group upset about Community Services welfare transformation
After learning more about Community Services planned changes to the way it delivers welfare the Benefits Reform Action Group sent a letter to all MLAs. They’re very worried about the direction the ESIA transformation project is taking.
Questions and worries. Kendall Worth on Income Assistance transformation
The Department of Community Services wants to change how it delivers welfare. But it still isn’t clear what that means, says Kendall Worth, after attending an update session organized by the department. In fact, there is reason to worry.