Provincial poverty reduction at the grassroots

Last week I participated in a conference call hosted by Tamarack with James Hughes, the Deputy Minister of Social Development in New Brunswick. This call was the second in a monthly tele-learning series looking at the various provincial poverty reduction strategies across Canada. New Brunswick’s plan, Overcoming Poverty Together: The New Brunswick economic and social inclusion plan, is the latest provincial plan, launched at the end of 2009.

The plan has been months in the making, inspired by the progress of other provincial plans, particularly Newfoundland and Labrador, and the dedication of former Minister of Social Development Mary Schryer and current Minister Kelly Lamrock.

The approach of the plan is cooperation between various sectors, and also grassroots initiatives under general provincial direction across various regions. James Hughes talked about politicians coming together, both government and opposition, with the social justice community and business sector to develop the plan.

Mr. Hughes also talked about plans for distributing the work of poverty reduction across the province, establishing up to 20 centres in various regions responsible for a certain percentage of the population. These offices will be working at the grassroots, but under provincial direction. The details are yet to be completed for the coordination of these initiatives, but Mr. Hughes was very optimistic

The plan has three main focus areas –being, becoming and belonging. Being accounts for meeting basic needs, such as reforming NB’s broken social assistance program (one of the rates lowest in the country), increasing the minimum wage, and taking strong action to combat homelessness.

The Becoming goals deal mainly with education, ensuring that more children and families have access to affordable, quality care (less than half currently have access), and also investing more resources in public education.

Finally, Belonging refers to long-term inclusion policies, like quality and affordable housing, and social enterprise development projects.

Since January 2010, the government has already brought several changes into place, including plans to increase minimum wage over the next two years, an extension of health benefits to social assistance beneficiaries for up to three years after coming off assistance, plans for a universal pharmacare program, and increasing the rates of assistance.

The plan is still in the very early stages, and is getting many positive reviews from inside the province. However, there are several concerns. The Common Front for Social Justice, a coalition of social justice organizations in New Brunswick, offers several critiques.

Members of the Common Front have been lobbying for a provincial poverty reduction plan for years. They are pleased that such a plan is now in place, but are concerned with the management of the plan, and believe that certain groups have been left out.

The Premier has been criticized for handpicking the committees that developed the plan, which will continue to monitor the plan’s progress. Mr. Hughes acknowledges this was an issue and a flaw in the development. Representatives from various sectors, including government, non-profit and business are included, but critics feel the process was not very democratic. Also, the Common Front fears that if resources for the plan are to be funnelled through social justice organizations, the government will not provide as much funding. This has happened in the past.

The government prides itself on developing a plan focusing on inclusion, but certain groups have been left out, including seniors and people with disabilities, especially in social assistance or income support plans. Mr. Hughes claims issues concerning these groups must be addressed, but there are no specific actions outlined in the plan.

There are still several kinks yet to be worked out, but the plan is a big step in the right direction to reducing poverty in New Brunswick, reaching and involving every community across the province.

Stay tuned for a discussion of Nova Scotia's poverty reduction strategy in May. Sign up for the tele-conference today!