Community Services Committee Adds Two Hearings

The House of Assembly's standing committee on community services has extended its public hearings schedule to accommodate a large number of presenters from the Halifax area.

Two extra hearings will be held in November, bringing to 12 the number of public meetings the committee is holding to consider the views of Nova Scotians on the social assistance system. Hearings began last month in Cape Breton.

"Participants have been articulate and effective in presenting their concerns and ideas to us," said Maureen MacDonald, chair of the all-party committee. "The committee members are certainly finding the presentations helpful in gaining insight from those most directly affected by the system. We appreciate the time and thought that goes into preparing submissions."

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.

In the past two and a half weeks, they have held hearings in Sydney, Port Hawkesbury, Guysborough and Stellarton. The next meeting is in Yarmouth on Thursday, Oct. 8, followed by 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
• by mail to:
  Standing Committee on Community Services
  c/o Legislature Committees Office
  Third Floor, Dennis Building
  1740 Granville St.
  P.O. Box 2630, Station M
  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 for the remaining hearings are:

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

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

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

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

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

HALIFAX
Tuesday, Nov. 10 Tuesday, Nov. 17 Thursday, Nov. 19 Halifax Community College, Bell campus 1825 Bell Rd.