N.B. urged to improve social assistance

A New Brunswick advocacy group is asking the province to show more compassion for people living on low incomes, but government officials assure changes are coming with a newly appointed poverty reduction team.

The Common Front for Social Justice hosted a news conference Friday where people shared their stories of trying to live on social assistance.

Coleen Jones, of Moncton, said that things have been rough since she broke her ankle while on vacation in the summer of 2008 and hasn't able to return to her security job at the Moncton airport.

Jones, who has a 14-year-old son, said she ended up on social assistance.

"I hardly have enough money to pay my bills. I have to pay my heat, my lights, plus buy groceries and pay my rent out of $809 [per month]. My rent is $625 — that doesn't leave you much to live on," she said.

Jones wants to return to work, but her ankle hasn't healed properly. As a result, she said she is in a lot of pain and must use a cane to walk.

Jones said her doctor has recommended a therapeutic boot, but the Social Development Department won't pay for it.

"I need this boot," she said. "I want to get back to myself, but I need help."

Changes coming

Earlier this month, Social Development Minister Kelly Lamrock announced a poverty reduction plan. Social assistance rates will immediately increase by 80 per cent for people on the "lowest rung" of the system, who currently live on less than $300 a month, he said.

It's unclear how many people are included in that "single, employable adults" category. A 2008 report by the National Council of Welfare found New Brunswick paid the lowest amount by far to that group in 2007 — $3,258 a year. That rate would have to double to reach the average in the Atlantic provinces, the report said.

But Linda McCaustlin, of the Common Front for Social Justice, said the poverty reduction plan is too vague, and she wants to see actions, not just words, from the department.

A transition team has been appointed to help implement the province's poverty reduction plan, according to government officials.

Premier Shawn Graham will meet with members of the team on Nov. 30 at 10 a.m. in the main lobby of the Crowne Plaza Fredericton Lord Beaverbrook.