Committee Holds Forum on Poverty

If you have ideas on how Nova Scotia can better fight poverty, a legislative committee wants to hear from you.

The all-party standing committee on community services is holding a forum on poverty Thursday, Jan. 12, and Friday, Jan. 13.

The committee is inviting input from individuals and groups dedicated to fighting poverty. It will then make recommendations to the House of Assembly and government departments.

"Poverty is the root of many broad social problems," said committee chair Marilyn More. "Those most involved in issues around poverty will help the all-party standing committee make recommendations to government that will encourage better co-operation, more focus and action to benefit our most vulnerable Nova Scotians."

Four groups that deal with poverty will make presentations on Thursday morning. They are, Community Action on Homelessness, Community Advocates Network, Face of Poverty and the Affordable Energy Coalition. In the afternoon, the committee will hold a round table discussion with the organizations that made presentations in the morning. Some of the issues that are expected to be discussed are social assistance rates, affordable housing, energy costs, drug plans, medical aid, transportation, education and the Employment Support and Income Assistance Act.

On Friday, the forum will hear from other organizations and individuals who want to make presentations.

The committee will meet in the Red Chamber, Province House, 1726 Hollis St., Halifax, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on both days.

Anyone interested in appearing before the forum can contact the Legislative Committees Office at 424-4494, toll-free at 1-888-388-6489 or by e-mail at [email protected] .