The story of Suzanne (not her real name), a university student who needed help after she got pregnant, and a caseworker who went out of his way to stop her from getting what she was entitled to.
Our series ‘Lives on Welfare’ continues. Here Joe, one the most gentle and soft spoken people I know, talks about becoming the target of a verbal attack by a Community Services employee. Being treated disrespectfully by Community Services staff and feeling powerless as a result is another common theme in the stories people on welfare tell.
Two glimpses into the life of a person who receives social assistance in Nova Scotia.
Poverty advocate and social assistance recipient Kendall Worth just went through his Annual Review. Here Kendall suggests some of the changes that would make it a much better process, based on trust rather than suspicion, clients’ needs rather than saving money.
Kendall Worth, who struggles to make ends meet on social assistance, comes out in favour of an annual guaranteed basic income. Not surprising, if you see your benefits shrink, your special needs ignored and you have to face a patronizing bureaucracy on a daily basis.
$5.15 for a monthly transit pass for people living in deep poverty. Calgary just did it! What about Halifax?
Them That’s Not profiles single mothers on welfare all across Canada. The documentary was made twenty five years ago, but nothing has changed. Welfare is still punitive and degrading. Benefits are still insufficient. It still sucks to be on it. Solidarity and mutual support still go strong.
Half-price transit passes for people who live on low incomes doesn’t go far enough, says chronic complainer Robert Devet. Public transit for the very poor should be free, and Community Services should stop shirking its responsibility.
Gabriel Enxuga is a candidate for city council who puts poverty , free transit, decent and affordable housing front and centre. Nothing wishy washy about his platform.
This weekend’s video is a flashback to the large 2015 anti-austerity protests in Nova Scotia. One thing about the McNeil government going after the film workers is that anti-austerity videos became really slick and professional.