Emergency Social Services Funding Agreement Announced

COMMUNITY SERVICES--Emergency Social Services Funding Agreement Announced

Communities across Nova Scotia are assured of emergency social services in a crisis, following an agreement signed today, May 9, by Community Services Minister David Morse and Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities' president Charles Crosby.

"Recent events, such as Hurricane Juan and winter storms, have shown us the importance of ensuring emergency social services are in place when Nova Scotians need them," said Mr. Morse. "We are pleased to formalize this support to municipalities throughout Nova Scotia."

Since 1998, the Department of Community Services has co-ordinated and funded emergency social services for municipalities for moderate to large-scale disasters. Before 1998, municipalities had to cover the costs of emergency social services, including food and shelter.

"Municipalities experiencing large-scale disasters -- such as storms, floods and fires -- have benefited from our arrangement with the province," said Mr. Crosby. "Through this agreement, we can be confident that our citizens will receive care and comfort during a crisis. We appreciate the province's formal acceptance of this financial responsibility."

Emergency social services are provided by the Red Cross through the Department of Community Services. The province covers the cost of these services, with the federal government contributing when costs exceed a preset amount based on population.