Common Front for Social Justice reviews the Poverty Reduction Plan

I have included only the conclusion in this blog.

To read the entire report, click the link seen here:

http://www.equite-equity.com/userfiles/file/2010%20jan_CFSJ%20Poverty%20Plan%20Analysis.pdf
 

7. Conclusion

The CFSJ has been advocating for years for the development of a provincial poverty reduction plan. The NB
government unveiled its plan on October 17th 2008. It presents a number of positive initiatives, namely the
abolishment of the interim category, the extension of the medical card up to three years for social assistance
recipients returning to work and some changes to the household income policy. Many other initiatives are
scheduled to be implemented over a five-year period. However, the CFSJ found several problems which are
of real concern.

Ninety seven percent of NB individuals presently on social assistance were left out of the plan, at least
until the 2010-2011 provincial budget. No recommendations were made for clients in the “Transition”
category and in the “Extended” benefits category. The majority of these people have serious physical or
mental limitations. The focus of the Plan is on the “Employable category”.

The model of delivery of the Plan’s initiatives may pose serious challenges. There are more community
non-profit organisations in urban areas compared to rural areas. Due to this urban-rural divide in NB, the
number and quality of programs available may not be comparable. The language of delivery of these
programs may also pose problems. Funding for the community initiatives will be funnelled through the
Provincial Economic and Social Inclusion Board, where government, community groups, business and
low-income persons will sit. The CFSJ is concerned that the decisions on granting money for some
initiatives may not always be based on need, quality and deliverability of programs. On the contrary,
decisions could be influenced by political ties.

The Plan proposes a major expansion of the role of the community non-profit sector in the delivery of
socio-economic programs. In the past, transferring government programs to community non-profit
organisations has brought about reductions in quality and accessibility.

The influence of the business sector on the entire Plan is disproportionate when one considers their
present position on issues that would make a real difference in the lives of people living in poverty
(minimum wage, pay equity, support of public child care, employment standards, etc.). Moreover, the
business sector is not injecting any significant sum of money in the Plan, yet it has an equal voice at all
decision-making levels.

The CFSJ is quite concerned that there was no budget accompanying the Plan. In the 2010-2011 provincial
budget, only $15 millions were earmarked for seven initiatives to implement the Plan and to put in place its
governance structure. This is certainly insufficient, considering the investments made by other provinces for
their poverty reduction plan.

Finally, major elements are missing from the Plan. Pay equity, which would help reduce women’s poverty,
was left out. An overhaul of the disability certification process was not addressed, yet it is of major
importance for those who are currently being denied much needed financial assistance. Many members of
the public who participated in the Dialogue sessions, as well as numerous community groups pointed out the
urgent need to revise the Social Assistance Policy Manual. Unfortunately, this was not addressed in the Plan.
Surprisingly, the Plan did not give a definition of poverty.