Community Services Committee Holds Hearings

The House of Assembly's standing committee on community services will begin public hearings next week to consider Nova Scotians' views on the provincial social assistance system and suggestions for improvement.

"We want to hear from people about what works and what doesn't work," said Maureen MacDonald, chair of the all-party committee. "We need to gather ideas for programs that help those in need, programs that are the foundation of as fair and as equitable a system as possible for all Nova Scotians."

Areas of concern for the committee include education and upgrading skills programs, physical and mental support, and poverty among children and persons with disabilities.

Ms. MacDonald is joined on the committee by fellow MLAs Jamie Muir, who is vice-chair, Don Downe, Minister of Finance and the Environment, Paul MacEwan, Laurie Montgomery, Yvonne Atwell, Jerry Pye, Gordon Balser and Hinrich Bitter-Suermann.

They begin public hearings in Sydney on Sept. 16, and over the next eight weeks will travel to Port Hawkesbury, Guysborough, Stellarton, Yarmouth, Bridgewater, Kentville, Truro, Preston and Halifax.

Nova Scotians wishing to make a presentation at a hearing are asked to contact the committee in advance at 1-888-388-6489.

In addition, submissions to the committee may also be made:

• by fax: 1-902-424-0513
• by toll-free phone: 1-888-388-6489
• by e-mail: [email protected]
• via the Internet: http://www.gov.ns.ca/legi/social
  (available by 4 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8)
• by mail to:
  Standing Committee on Community Services
  c/o Legislature Committees Office
  Third Floor, Dennis Building
  1740 Granville St.
  P.O. Box 2630
  Halifax, N.S. B3J 3N5

Submissions should be filed with the committee by Nov. 20, 1998. All hearings are scheduled for 7 p.m.-10 p.m. Locations are wheelchair accessible. Interpreter services will be provided on request.

Dates and locations are:

SYDNEY
Wednesday, September 16
Cambridge Suites
380 Esplanade

PORT HAWKESBURY
Thursday, September 17
The Port Hawkesbury Creamery
3 MacSween St.

GUYSBOROUGH
Thursday, September 24
Guysborough Academy
66 Green St.

STELLARTON
Thursday, October 1
Summer Street Industries
72 Park St., New Glasgow

YARMOUTH
Thursday, October 8
Community College, Burridge campus
372 Pleasant St.

BRIDGEWATER
Wednesday, October 14
Community College, Lunenburg campus
75 High St.

KENTVILLE
Thursday, October 22
Kentville Fire Hall
463 Main St.

TRURO
Thursday, October 29
Keddy's Inn and Convention Centre
437 Prince St.

PRESTON
Thursday, November 5
Black Cultural Centre
1149 Main St., Dartmouth

HALIFAX
Tuesday, November 10
Halifax Community College, Bell campus
1825 Bell Rd.