Listen to this article
Estimated 3 minutes
The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.
A non-profit organization says the province’s recent increase in social assistance rates is far from adequate, and some Nova Scotia municipalities are echoing the need for more support for the most vulnerable people in their communities.
The Antigonish Coalition to End Poverty sent a letter to Premier Tim Houston earlier this year expressing concerns that financial support for those living in poverty has fallen well below inflation.
“We’re seeing more and more people being left to live in poverty,” said Lucille Harper, a long-standing member of the coalition.
The rates of income and disability assistance haven’t kept up with inflation and cost of living, Harper said.
More than 13 per cent of people in Nova Scotia in 2024 were living in poverty, according to the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. Nearly 29 per cent of Nova Scotians are food insecure, according to Food Banks Canada.
Harper said the 1.6 per cent increase in the province’s 2026-27 budget, and 3.1 per cent in last year’s fiscal plan, aren’t anywhere close to what’s needed to help people climb out of poverty.
The rate should be increased by 10 per cent every year; otherwise the province isn’t making any difference, she said.
“When you set a social assistance rate that is so substantially below the poverty line, you’re legislating poverty,” she said.
‘We’re hearing from folks every day’
The Municipality of the County of Antigonish sent its own letter to the premier expressing its support for the coalition’s request to increase social assistance rates.
“We’re hearing from folks every day that at the end of the month, there isn’t a whole lot left,” said Warden Nicholas MacInnis.
MacInnis said the rising cost of living is affecting residents across all income brackets.
;Resize%3D796)
Antigonish isn’t the only municipality seeing its residents struggling.
“We recognize that poverty is certainly a serious issue and impacting the daily lives of many Nova Scotians and especially individuals and families relying on social assistance and disability benefits,” said Dave Corkum, mayor of the Municipality of Kings County.
Corkum said Antigonish has been a leader in trying to address poverty in Nova Scotia and he applauds the coalition for stepping up.
Human rights lawyer Vince Calderhead has repeatedly told the province Nova Scotians on income assistance are being left behind.
In a statement, Opportunities and Social Development Minister Barbara Adams said she appreciates the coalition’s concerns and the province is focused on supporting the most vulnerable Nova Scotians.
Social assistance is one of several ways the province provides that support, Adams said.
In addition to increasing social assistance, she said the provincial government has lowered taxes, increased the earned income limit exemption and continues to invest in employment support services.
The province has also expanded the school supplies supplement, increased the Nova Scotia child benefit and launched its school lunch program, Adams said.
MORE TOP STORIES
