Atlantic Ministers Meet to Discuss Social Services and Affordability Issues

NOTE: This communique is issued on behalf of the Atlantic ministers responsible for social services, who met in Halifax today, July 17.

Atlantic Ministers Responsible for Social Services met today in Halifax, Nova Scotia, for a regional meeting hosted by Minister Scott Armstrong. The meeting was an opportunity for Ministers to share information, identify priorities, and work together to address key social policy challenges across the Atlantic Region.

Ministers discussed pressing issues including affordability and poverty reduction, disability related supports, the attraction and retention of social workers, child and family well-being services and supports and approaches to address homelessness.

The Ministers emphasized the need for focused collaboration with the federal government to address affordability challenges that have far reaching impacts on Atlantic Canadians. They also discussed ways to address the many different causes and contributors to poverty and emphasized the need for concrete actions to make a real and lasting change.

Through a strengthened Atlantic collaboration, the Ministers are committed to sharing models, programming, and best-practices for inclusive, skills-based employment supports that empower individuals transitioning from social programs to meaningful participation in the workforce.

Ministers discussed the new federal Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) and emphasized the importance of ensuring that it does not negatively impact access to existing provincial programs. They called on the federal government to follow through with proposed amendments to the Income Tax Act to support this. Additionally, Ministers identified opportunities to enhance the CDB through improvements to application processes and removal of barriers in obtaining the Disability Tax Credit.

The Ministers will reconvene virtually this winter to further share information and explore opportunities for collaboration.

Quotes:

‎“By working together across the Atlantic region and with the federal government, we are committed to tackling affordability, poverty, and social policy challenges. Together, we can empower individuals and build a stronger, more inclusive region where everyone can thrive.”
— Scott Armstrong, Minister of Opportunities and Social Development for Nova Scotia

“In the past months, we in Atlantic Canada – and we as Canadians – have been more united than ever, especially when it comes to caring for each other. Being Canadian today means that we believe in social inclusion – and we believe in empathy. We gathered here today as ministers because we also collectively believe in making Atlantic Canada a supportive environment where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. Through a continued focus on affordability measures and poverty reduction, we remain committed to working together for the benefit of all New Brunswickers.”
— Cindy Miles, Minister of Social Development and Minister responsible for the Economic and Social Inclusion Corporation for New Brunswick

“We look forward to continuing positive dialogue with our regional and federal partners to help address the challenges facing our most vulnerable citizens. All levels of government must work together to ensure the CDB is implemented without delay, without claw backs, and without creating unintended barriers, like reduced access to existing supports or increased tax burdens for recipients.”
— Barb Ramsay, Minister of Social Development and Seniors for Prince Edward Island

“I am pleased to have the opportunity to meet with my Atlantic counterparts and discuss important issues we are facing across all our provinces. With a united front we will continue to put in the work to address affordability issues, reduce poverty, best support vulnerable populations and create inclusive communities.”
— Jamie Korab, Minister of Families and Affordability and Minister responsible for the Status of Persons with Disabilities for Newfoundland and Labrador

Other than cropping, Province of Nova Scotia photos are not to be altered in any way.