Working Toward An End To Poverty--Op-Ed

by David Morse, Minister of Community Services

Each year during the holiday season, we give thanks for the many blessings in our lives. We also take time to reflect on the needs of others and many of us reach out to help those less fortunate.

As the new year begins, we cannot let our concern for poverty fade with the passing of the season. The issue of poverty is just as real in January and the rest of the year as it is in December. And so, before we return to our daily routines, I would like to pause for a moment and take a closer look at this important issue.

While there is still much to be done to address the issue of poverty in our country, the Department of Community Services provides a wide range of programs and services that are improving the health and well-being of low-income Nova Scotians.

Each year, our department provides support through income assistance to more than 30,000 low-income households. The number of Nova Scotians in need of income assistance has dropped by almost 10,000 over the past four years and is expected to decline again this year as about 3,500 income assistance recipients make the successful transition to work. It is important to note that our overall program expenditures have remained constant despite this decline, which means we are able to offer greater support to those in need.

One of the reasons for the decreasing number of households in need of income assistance is our strong employment support program. Each year, we help more than 10,000 clients in their move towards self-sufficiency by providing employment counseling, training and education. During this transition, clients become eligible for assistance with travel expenses, child-care expenses, extended Pharmacare coverage and a wage incentive. These types of supports make it especially feasible for low- income parents to participate in employment.

We have also improved the situation for low-income families with the introduction of the Nova Scotia Child Benefit as part of the National Child Benefit. Approximately 60,000 children of low- income families in Nova Scotia receive this benefit, whether they are receiving income assistance or working. The child benefit represents up to $256 per month - or potentially more than $3,000 per year - for each child, depending on family income. Because it is provided in addition to basic income assistance, it substantially increases a family's household income and helps with the costs of raising a child.

In addition to these programs, our department recognizes the role of safe, appropriate, affordable and sustainable housing. Each year, we assist more than 20,000 low-income households with their housing needs. This includes rental accommodations, rent supplements, grants or loans for home repairs and mortgages for modest housing. In addition, the province recently signed an agreement with the federal government to create or renovate up to 1,500 affordable housing units in Nova Scotia over the next five years.

These are just some examples of the support we provide to low- income Nova Scotians. Although we have made great strides in addressing the issue of poverty, we recognize that more needs to be done. The reduction and prevention of poverty is a shared responsibility of government, the private sector and individuals. We must work together for positive change. As minister, I am committed to working tirelessly toward that objective.

Until we reach our goal, my hope is that each of us will take some time to reflect more deeply on this issue and consider what we can do to make a difference for those in need in our communities.