New Poverty Reduction Plan Unveiled For N.B.

A new anti-poverty plan calls for social assistance reforms and a review of government services targeted at low-income individuals.

The Economic and Social Inclusion Corporation unveiled its third poverty reduction plan at the Carleton Community Centre in Saint John on Thursday.

Stéphane Leclair, executive director of the corporation, said the goal is to reduce income poverty by 50 per cent from 2015 levels by 2030.

“If ever we get there prior to 2030, I’m sure that the board will be very pleased to say ‘let’s set a new goal’ if need be,” said Leclair.

Overcoming Poverty Together 3: The New Brunswick Economic and Social Inclusion Plan includes nine priority action items under three pillars.

• Income Security: includes actions addressing improvements to social assistance, changes to the Employment Standards Act and an increase of the capacity and sustainability of social enterprises.
• Co-ordination of Programs and Services: includes actions towards a review of government programs, services and tax policies targeted to low-income individuals, and the implementation of a One-Stop-Shop service to help New Brunswickers access information and navigate government and community programs and services.
• Inclusion and Healthy Communities: includes actions bringing improvement to mental and addictions services, the development of regional transportation plans, work with partners to provide inclusive opportunities for recreation activities for New Brunswickers on a low income, and the development of food programs in all schools.

Leclair said the new five-year plan builds upon the progress already made from the first two plans over the past 10 years.

He presented a series of statistics which showed New Brunswick’s poverty rate fell by 44 per cent between 2009 and 2018.

The poverty rate was 14.2 per cent, or 104,000 people, in 2009. In 2018, it was 7.9 per cent, or 58,000 people.

In order to reach the 2030 goal, New Brunswick would have to reduce the number of people living below the poverty line to 50,000.

Leclair said the new plan took about 18 months to create and involved their broadest consultation yet.

“Overall, 2,500 people participated through the entire process and we had 25,000 pieces of information or comments to analyze,” he said.

Social Development Minister Dorothy Shephard, the minister responsible for the corporation, said the plan is created by New Brunswickers, for New Brunswickers.

“All of us from all areas of the province — from government members to citizens to members of the business and non-profit sector — have a role to play when it comes to improving the lives of our fellow New Brunswickers,” she said.

Shephard said her government has already begun a review of social assistance and will have more details “in the near future.”

I’m here at the Carleton Community Centre, where the Economic and Social Inclusion Corporation is involving a new poverty reduction plan. pic.twitter.com/pfUdB93fmq

— Brad Perry (@BradMPerry) March 5, 2020