Atlantic Ministers Meet to Discuss Social Services, Poverty Reduction

NOTE: This communique is issued on behalf of the Atlantic Ministers Responsible for Social Services, who met in Charlottetown this week.

Atlantic Ministers Responsible for Social Services met in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, on June 23 and 24, 2026, for a meeting hosted by Minister Barb Ramsay. The meeting was an opportunity for ministers to advance shared priorities, exchange leading practices, share experiences, and strengthen regional collaboration on key social policy priorities impacting Atlantic Canadians.

Ministers focused on key challenges and emerging issues affecting the region, including affordability and poverty reduction, enhancing disability supports and accessibility, increasing workforce participation among benefit recipients, improving outcomes for vulnerable children and youth, and strengthening the recruitment and retention of foster families and social services workers. Ministers emphasized the importance of coordinated evidence-informed approaches to these priorities. They agreed to continue exploring opportunities to align policy approaches, share data and outcomes, and leverage regional innovation to improve service delivery and results.

Ministers also highlighted the tangible benefits of Atlantic collaboration. For example, building on discussions at the 2025 meeting of Atlantic Ministers, Prince Edward Island adopted the In Motion & Momentum program as a result of engagement with New Brunswick Minister Cindy Miles. The program is now successfully operating in PEI and has graduated two cohorts, supporting participants to address barriers to employment and transition into the workforce. This example underscores how regional cooperation can accelerate the adoption of effective solutions across jurisdictions.

By working together, Atlantic provinces will continue to build on each other’s experience and innovation to advance inclusive, responsive, and effective social services for individuals, families, and communities across the region.

Ministers agreed to continue dialogue and collaboration ahead of their next meeting.

Quotes:

“It was a pleasure to welcome fellow Atlantic Ministers responsible for Social Services to Prince Edward Island for these important conversations. Together, we focused on what matters most to people, including making life more affordable, strengthening disability supports and improving outcomes for vulnerable children and youth. By working collaboratively, we are building stronger and more responsive services across Atlantic Canada.”
— Barb Ramsay, Minister of Social Development and Seniors for Prince Edward Island

“We are coming together as the ministers of social services in Atlantic Canada because we believe all Canadians deserve access to the essential supports they need. By joining forces, our governments will focus on improving social services, developing long-term solutions to care, and reducing poverty by making life more affordable. We believe in addressing the root causes of poverty in Atlantic Canada and empowering vulnerable populations across the Maritimes to achieve long-term stability. We are committed to providing long-term solutions to care because we want to see enduring structural change for all Canadians.”
— Cindy Miles, Minister of Social Development and Minister responsible for the Economic and Social Inclusion Corporation for New Brunswick

“Our discussions in Charlottetown underscored the importance of working together across Atlantic Canada. By sharing ideas and learning from each other, we can improve social services for the people we serve. In Newfoundland and Labrador, we are committed to helping individuals and families thrive by implementing measures to reduce poverty; supporting persons with disabilities, including establishing an Office of the Disability Advocate to ensure that people with disabilities have a strong, independent voice; and enhancing supports for foster families to ensure they have the resources they need to care for vulnerable children and youth. Newfoundland and Labrador remains committed to collaborating with regional partners – by working together, we are making real progress for individuals, families, and communities.”
— Joedy Wall, Minister of Social Supports and Well-Being for Newfoundland and Labrador

“Meetings like this provide an opportunity to learn from one another and work together on solutions that improve the lives of our most vulnerable citizens. Our provinces face many of the same challenges, and together, we can achieve better outcomes for children, youth, and families and create a stronger, more inclusive region.”
— Susan Corkum-Greek, Minister of Opportunities and Social Development for Nova Scotia