November 1st, 2023
Green Party Leader Calls for Guaranteed Livable Income Program
FREDERICTON – Green Party leader and MLA for Fredericton South David Coon tabled a motion calling on the government today to take immediate action to develop a guaranteed livable income program in consultation with social assistance recipients, minimum wage earners, experts, advocacy groups, and the federal government.
“Despite the government’s social assistance reform, New Brunswick’s social assistance rates are still the lowest in Canada for all household categories,” stated Coon. “Social assistance recipients in New Brunswick are still living well below the poverty line and in deep poverty.”
The Government of Prince Edward Island has recently launched a guaranteed livable income pilot program that is supporting over 600 households who were receiving social assistance. Guaranteed livable incomes have also been piloted in Ontario and in Manitoba.
“Implementing a guaranteed livable income program, beginning with social assistance recipients as has been done in PEI, would attack poverty head-on by ensuring that individuals and families have the financial means to meet their basic needs,” Coon added.
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