Newfoundland and Labrador

Terre-Neuve et Labrador

Newfoundland and Labrador Budget 2008
April 29, 2008
- incl. links to all budget papers

Budget Highlights
(...)
- Lifting from Poverty
* Investment of $12 million this year ($17.3 million annualized) for a total of more than $100 million annually in the Poverty Reduction Strategy.
Examples include:
* $1.7 million to support youth at risk
* $1 million to improve access to healthy food and community activities
* $1.5 million for the extension of the Make Work Pay Workplace Connections initiative to cover all income support clients who join the labour market
* $2.4 million to index basic income support benefits effective April 1, 2008
* Expanding the Employment Transition Project for single parents through an investment of $128,000
* $470,000 investment in community-based workplace skills training and a micro-lending program
* $1.4 million to improve access to housing, particularly for seniors and those working for low wages
* $40,000 to increase operating grants to eight Status of Women’s centres
* $279,000 to establish a Family Violence Treatment Court pilot project
* $1.5 million in improvements to Income Support benefits
* Funding of $254,900 to expand the Child, Youth and Family Civil Legal Aid Project to the Western region
* $126,300 for civil legal aid support for persons required to make a court appearance under the Mental Health Act
(...)

News Releases - links to 11 news releases related to Budget 2008
..including:
Newfoundland and Labrador Continues to
Invest to Lead the Country in Poverty Reduction Initiatives
The Williams Government continues to act on its commitment to alleviate, prevent and reduce poverty in the province with new measures that focus on improving earned incomes, strengthening the social safety net and supporting youth at risk. Budget 2008 provides an additional $9.6 million in new Poverty Reduction Strategy initiatives and this funding is in addition to the $2.4 million announced April 1 to index basic income support rates. That brings the total investment in the current fiscal year to $12 million and once fully implemented in 2009-10, the Provincial Government’s annual investment in poverty reduction will be more than $100 million.

Related Web/News/Blog links:

Google Search Results Links - always current results!
Using the following search terms (without the quote marks):
"Newfoundland and Labrador , 2008 budget"
- Web search results page
- News search results page
- Blog Search Results page
Source:
Google.ca

Government Home Page
- incl. links to : Office of the Premier - Tourism - Business - Economy & Statistics - News Releases - Services Directory - Publications - Departments/Agencies - House of Assembly - Popular Links - Telephone Directory

What's New? - Additions to the government website (best place to find the latest news release or budget quickly)
Publications On-Line - links to all budgets, throne speeches, special reports, etc. (organized in reverse chronological order)
News Releases by Department

Departments and Agencies
Government Releases - link to all govt. depts., 1996 to date on one page 
This Week's Releases - from all govt. depts. (all on one page)   
News Release Archive - 1996 to date

Speeches and Addresses - by date and by Department
Ministerial Statements - by date and by Department

Public Accounts - from the Office of the Comptroller General

Government Telephone Directory

Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment
On the home page, you'll find the following links : Minister - Office Locations - Income Support Program - Employment and Career Services - Legislative Review - Newfoundland and Labrador Child Benefit - Newfoundland and Labrador Family Benefit - Our Organization - Legislation - Publications - News Releases - Telephone Directory - Links

2005-06 Annual Report - Dept. of
Human Resources, Labour & Employment (PDF file - 1.3MB, 35 pages)

HRLE Strategic Plan
For Fiscal Years 2006-07 and 2007-08 ( PDF file - 1.3MB, 26 pages)

2004-05 Annual Report - Department of Human Resources & Employment (PDF file - 5.2MB, 27 pages)

Social Assistance - Frequently-Asked Questions 

Newfoundland and Labrador Family Benefit - replaces the basic social assistance allowance for families 
Family Benefit Rates - welfare rates (note: for families with children, you must add in NLCB benefits (below)
Newfoundland and Labrador Child Benefit (NLCB)- tax-free monthly supplement to all families with children (under the National Child Benefit initiative)
- includes links to : Frequently Asked Questions - Quickfacts - Rate Tables  - Contact info for further information

Income Support - link to legislation, program overview, application form, appeal process info, etc.

Welfare statistics - from the NFL Statistics Agency (this link takes you further down on the page you're now reading; click your browser's BACK button to return here.)

Publications
- links to : the Human Resources and Employment Annual Reports - Employment and Career Services Documents - Employment Linkages - Policy, Planning and Evaluation Reports - Report of a Consultation on the Social Assistance Act - Social Services Appeal Board Applications - more

News Releases : All years

Miscellaneous News Releases and reports

Newfoundland and Labrador Poverty Reduction Strategy "The vision is of a province where poverty has been eliminated. This will be a prosperous, diverse province where all individuals are valued, can develop to their full potential and have access to the supports they need to participate fully in the social and economic benefits of Newfoundland and Labrador." - includes * Vision for our Province *Guiding Principles * Partner Departments and Agencies PLUS links to key documents (copied below) Message from the Premier Message from the Minister Budget 2006 - The Right Choices: Reducing Poverty; Increasing Self Reliance Budget 2007 - A vision of opportunity with New Actions to Address Poverty Related Documents (including a summary of strategy development workshops held in the fall of 2005, the background report and workbook and a link to the Action Plan itself (copied immediately below). Reducing Poverty : An Action Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador, June 2006 (PDF file - 1.6MB, 60 pages) The final report Reducing Poverty in Newfoundland and Labrador - Background Report and Workbook (2005) News Releases - links to over two dozen news releases on the Poverty Reduction Strategy from 2005 to 2007 ------------------------------------------------------- Poverty Reduction Strategies in Quebec and in Newfoundland and Labrador By Chantal Collin (Political and Social Affairs Division) 26 October 2007 HTML version PDF version (153K, 15 pages) Table of Contents: * Introduction Québec's Strategy to Combat Poverty and Social Exclusion (...) Newfoundland and Labrador's Poverty Reduction Strategy * A. Consultation Process * B. Poverty Reduction Strategy * C. Definition and Measurement of Poverty * D. Action Plan * E. Current Funding and Future Assessments Source: Parliamentary Research Library (Government of Canada) NOTE: keep scrolling down the page you're now reading for links to more poverty reduction info - Go to the Antipoverty Strategies and Campaigns page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/antipoverty.htm

Government Increases Income Support Benefits
April 1, 2008
In accordance with the Consumer Price Index (CPI), effective today April 1, the Williams Government, as part of the Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS), is increasing basic income support benefits by $2.4 million annually. (...) The PRS is focused on reducing, alleviating and preventing poverty in the province. Over a 10-year period, Newfoundland and Labrador intends to move from the jurisdiction with the highest poverty rates to one with the lowest in Canada.

Province Supports Tax Measures and Support Trusts for People with Disabilities
News Release
March 31, 2008
The Provincial Government has amended regulations to support improvements to the tax system for individuals with low incomes, and people with disabilities and their families by exempting both the federal Working Income Tax Benefit and the Registered Disability Saving Plan from the calculation of Income Support benefits. The two exemptions are effective April 1, 2008.

Opposition Fails to Understand Poverty Reduction Strategy
June 14, 2007
News Release
The Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, said he is disappointed with claims by the Opposition that government is failing in the fight against poverty in our province.
Source:
Human Resources, Labour and Employment

Related links:

Poverty Reduction Strategy (2005)
Poverty reduction papers

Government Increases Basic Income Support Benefits
March 30, 2007
Effective April 1, government will fulfill another key commitment to poverty reduction by providing an additional $3 million annually to further increase basic income support. This will be accomplished by tying the basic income support rate to the provincial consumer price index (CPI) which means an increase of 1.8 per cent.

Reducing Poverty: An Action Plan for
Newfoundland and Labrador (PDF file - 1.6MB, 60 pages)
June 2006
"The 2005 Speech from the Throne (PDF file - 266K, p. 22) affirmed Government’s Blueprint commitment to transform Newfoundland and Labrador over a ten-year period from a province with the most poverty to a province with the least poverty."

Province reaffirms commitment to poverty reduction
News Release
May 26, 2006
Paul Shelley, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, is pleased to announce the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has decided that Income Support (social assistance) payments will not be affected by the introduction of the new federal Universal Child Care Benefit. (...) The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is developing an integrated poverty reduction strategy. Budget 2006 included a significant investment to help people move ahead and break the cycle of poverty. (...) The full strategy will be released later this spring.

Increased income support rates will add up to reduced poverty: Minister*
March 29, 2006
News Release
Budget 2006 will make major investments in a broad range of programs and services that will help the working poor, youth-at-risk, and families with low incomes, says Paul Shelley, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, and the lead minister for government’s poverty reduction strategy.
[*NOTE: as part of its increased supports to people in need, the provincial govt. will start indexing welfare benefit levels as of 2007-08; rates will be tied to the Newfoundland and Labrador Consumer Price Index. Québec is the only other Canadian jurisdiction that indexes its rates every year based on the prevailing rate of inflation. This is a sound policy that prevents households receiving welfare from falling further behind because of ongoing increases in the cost of living. Congratulations, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, on this progressive social policy!]

March 30, 2006
The Right Choices: Reducing Poverty; Increasing Self Reliance
(part of Budget 2006 - March 30/06)
Departments of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, Health and Community Services and Education
- includes a backgrounder with more detailed info
"The Williams government is removing barriers to employment and providing assistance to those who need it most through a sweeping investment in initiatives designed to combat poverty, announced Paul Shelley, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, and the lead minister for government’s poverty reduction strategy. Budget 2006 outlines government’s integrated approach to poverty reduction, unveiling investments of over $30.5 million in 2006-07 and $62 million annually to support an expanded eligibility for the prescription drug program, the elimination of school fees, increases to income support programs, and enhanced Adult Basic Education (ABE) offerings. This initial phase of the poverty reduction strategy is a strong basis for meeting government’s pledge to significantly reduce poverty in Newfoundland and Labrador."

Report on poverty reduction workshops rich with insights
News Release
December 20, 2005
"A report on what was heard in workshops about poverty across Newfoundland and Labrador illustrates how broad and complex the challenge of reducing poverty is, says Paul Shelley, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment. (...) In the 2005 Speech from the Throne and Budget, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador committed to develop a comprehensive, government-wide poverty reduction strategy. Funding of $200,000 was committed in March 2005 to develop this strategy. The consultants’ report on workshops held this summer is one component of this work."

Complete report:

Report on Workshop Sessions on the Development of a Poverty Reduction Strategy (241K, 61 pages)
October 2005
Prepared by management consultants Goss Gilroy Inc.

Related Link:

Building pathways to poverty reduction - (backgrounder about the government’s strategic approach to reducing poverty)
March 21, 2005
Human Resources, Labour and Employment
"Joan Burke, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, said today that several Budget 2005 measures help lessen poverty in Newfoundland and Labrador, including funding for the development of a strategic plan on addressing the issue of poverty."
- highlights include a two-part increase in income support (welfare) for couples and single clients without children (1% in July 2005 and 1% in January 2006), a 10% increase in the earnings exemption level and more funds for employment-related activities for people with disabilities, for the Newfoundland and Labrador Child Benefit and for "a second pilot project to assist single parents in receipt of income support prepare for, find and keep employment."

-------------------------------------------------

Reducing Poverty in Newfoundland and Labrador - Background Report and Workbook (PDF file - 1.5MB, 44 pages)
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
June 2005
"In the 2005 Speech from the Throne, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador committed to refine and implement a comprehensive poverty reduction strategy in collaboration with stakeholders both within and outside the government. This document is designed to provide readers with background information on poverty in the province, current initiatives being undertaken by the provincial government and ideas for future action."
Selected content from the background report:
Poverty and its Determinants - Profile of those Living in Poverty - Low income in Newfoundland and Labrador - Incidence of Poverty - Rural and Urban Poverty - Depth of Poverty - Persistence - Factors Influencing Poverty - The Provincial Labour Market - Current Initiatives of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador - Income Support (welfare) Program - Career, Employment and Youth Services - Newfoundland and Labrador Child Benefit (NLCB) - Low Income Tax Reduction Program - Initiatives for Children and Families - Initiatives to Increase Women’s Economic Security - Minimum Wage - Housing Supports - What Are other Jurisdictions Doing to Reduce Poverty? (Quebec, rest of Canada, Ireland, Scotland) - Recommendations from Community-Based Groups - Tax Relief - Asset Building Approaches - Finding the Right Policy Mix - more...
+ workbook for citizens to complete and return to the provincial government.

Work on the development of a provincial poverty strategy kicks into high gear
News Release
June 24, 2005
Joan Burke, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, announced that workshops will begin today on the development of a strategy to reduce the level of poverty in Newfoundland and Labrador. The sessions, to be held in approximately 10 communities over a two-week period, will engage those working with community-based, labour and business organizations and is just one of several activities planned to gather input on how best to reduce poverty in the province."

Building pathways to poverty reduction
March 21, 2005
Human Resources, Labour and Employment
"Joan Burke, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, said today that several Budget 2005 measures help lessen poverty in Newfoundland and Labrador, including funding for the development of a strategic plan on addressing the issue of poverty."
- highlights include a two-part increase in income support (welfare) for couples and single clients without children (1% in July 2005 and 1% in January 2006), a 10% increase in the earnings exemption level and more funds for employment-related activities for people with disabilities, for the Newfoundland and Labrador Child Benefit and for "a second pilot project to assist single parents in receipt of income support prepare for, find and keep employment."

Preparing our youth for success
March 21, 2005
Human Resources, Labour and Employment
"Joan Burke, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, says Budget 2005 places a renewed focus on the young people of Newfoundland and Labrador, especially those youth who live in poverty and who rely on income support. 'Low education levels, a lack of a high school diploma and limited work experience are key characteristics of a dependence on income support from one generation to the next and a cycle of poverty,' said Minister Burke. 'In 2003 youth, 18 to 29 years old, represented one-quarter of the income support caseload and almost 50 per cent of all new entrants. These numbers are alarming and are an indication of many complex issues that require a focused, coordinated approach.'"

Minimum wage earners in Newfoundland and Labrador to see increase in pay
News Release
January 6, 2005
"Joan Burke, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, announced today that government has approved a $1 increase to the province’s minimum wage. The increase will be implemented in four 25 cent increments over a two-year period. (...) The minimum wage in Newfoundland and Labrador is currently $6 per hour. That wage will increase by 25 cents to $6.25 effective June 1, 2005, to $6.50 effective January 1, 2006, to $6.75 effective June 1, 2006 and to $7 effective January 1, 2007."
Related Links: go to the Minimum Wage Links page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/minwage.htm

New Income and Employment Support Act and Regulations
News Release
December 7, 2004
"The new Income and Employment Support Act and the accompanying Income and Employment Support Regulations (...) replace the outdated Social Assistance Act and Regulations which have been in effect since 1977. The new act better reflects the Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment’s two major areas of responsibility: providing income support in a stable dignified manner to eligible individuals and families; and delivering programs and services that support individuals in achieving their employment and career goals.

Income and Employment Support Act, S.N.L. 2002, c. I-0.1
(proclaimed November 30, 2004)

Income and Employment Support Regulations
(O.C. 2004-461 - Filed November 26, 2004 )

Related Links:

Income and Employment Support Act introduced in House of Assembly
November 19, 2002
- incl. backgrounder : the consultation process, key changes, next steps

Legislative Review Links (2002) - incl. links to the legislative review consultation report and the discussion paper on new directions for social assistance legislation

Canada Newfoundland and Labrador Labour Market Agreement
for Persons with Disabilities (LMAPD) Baseline Report 2004-2005
December 2004
Source:
Dept. of Human Resources, Labour and Employment

Department moves to next step of Redesign Initiative
News Release
May 11, 2004
- consolidation of 20 district welfare offices, redeployment of staff, total number of actual layoffs ~30 staff throughout the province

Mothers and families encouraged to take advantage of Mother Baby Nutrition Supplement
New Release
July 7, 2003

Newfoundland and Labrador Child Benefit rate increase
July 4, 2003

Pilot project great support for single parents
News Release
March 18, 2003
"An evaluation of the Single Parent Employment Support Program (SESP), a five-year pilot project administered by the Department of Human Resources and Employment and the Single Parent Association of Newfoundland and Labrador and open to clients in seven HRE offices in the North East Avalon region, concludes that the innovative project is a great asset in assisting single parents in receipt of income support to enter and remain in the workforce."
Complete report:
Summative Evaluation of the Single Parent Employment Support Program (SESP) Final Report (PDF file - 160K, 93 pages)
June 2002

Income and Employment Support Act introduced in House of Assembly
November 19, 2002

Minister announces changes to current income support regulations
November 19, 2002

Minister announces consultation findings
August 5, 2002
News Release
Human Resources and Employment
"Ralph Wiseman, Minister of Human Resources and Employment, released today the Report of a Consultation on the Social Assistance Act. The report is a summary of the department’s community consultations concerning the review of the Social Assistance Act and Regulations. The findings from these consultations will assist the Department of Human Resources and Employment as it drafts the new legislation."
- this news release includes a detailed backgrounder
Report of a Consultation on the Social Assistance Act (PDF file - 317K, 66 pages)
Related Links - links to the above report, plus the January 2002 discussion paper, Workbook ("Tell Us What You Think") and relevant legislation

Minister releases report on supported employment (for persons with developmental disabilities)
May 9, 2002
Human Resources and Employment
"Ralph Wiseman, Minister of Human Resources and Employment, today released an evaluation of his department’s Supported Employment Initiative."
Summative Evaluation of the Supported Employment Initiative (PDF file - 412K, 142 pages)

Budget 2002-2003 News Releases
March 21, 2002
Changes to NLCB help low income families
For the second consecutive year, low income families with children will be able to earn more money and still qualify for the Newfoundland and Labrador Child Benefit (NLCB). Department’s innovative changes continue
With a series of recent initiatives, the Department of Human Resources and Employment continues its major redesign of programs and services to assist persons on social assistance achieve independence and extend support to low income working families.
Backgrounders

- Social Assistance Review - province-wide public consultations now underway, scheduled for completion in April - new legislation to be tabled in the fall 2002
- Employment Assistance Programs - info about NewfoundJOBS - Linkages Youth Employment - Supported Employment - Single Parent Employment Support Program - Employability Assistance for People with Disabilities - more...

Review of Social Assistance Act under way
Press Release
January 7, 2002
"Gerald Smith, Minister of Human Resources and Employment, announced today the beginning of a review process which will help in updating the department's Social Assistance Act and Regulations. This is the first review of the legislation in its entirety since 1977.
(...)
Following the consultation process, which should conclude early this spring, the information gathered will be used when drafting the new Social Assistance Act and Regulations. The new legislation is expected to be introduced in late 2002."

Legislative Review website

Investing in People: New Directions for Social Assistance Legislation (PDF file - 16K, 40 pages)
Discussion Paper - January 2002
- provides information on the current income support and employment and career programs and poses a number of questions for discussion.

Government committed to reducing child poverty in province
News Release
December 7, 2001
"... government’s commitment to addressing the issue [of child poverty] as demonstrated by the significant range of initiatives undertaken in recent years..."
- includes a brief snapshot of almost a dozen such initiatives - social assistance redesign, the Newfoundland and Labrador Child Benefit, Early Childhood Development and other health and literacy programs for children

Changes in legislation benefit people living with disability
News Release
October 26, 2001
Government has approved the necessary regulatory changes recommended by the Departments of Human Resources and Employment and Health and Community Services to exempt support trusts when determining eligibility for social assistance and supportive services for people living with a disability.

The 2001-2002 Budget and Human Resources and Employment 
March 22, 2001 
NLCB increase good news for low income families
Department continues to move forward in redesign initiatives
Early Childhood Development a priority for government
Backgrounders 
New pay system for HRE clients
NewfoundJOBS
Single Parent Employment Support Program (SESP)
Working together for youth

2001-2002 Budget Speech - Highlights - Links to 40+ news releases

Ministerial Statement - Single Parent Employment Support Program
Human Resources and Employment 
December 13, 2000 
"Of the 173 single parents that have taken part in the program between August of 1998, and May 2000, about 75 per cent have found full or part time employment. Not only are they finding work, but they are maintaining it."

Minister gives update on redesign initiatives
Human Resources and Employment 
October 10, 2000 
Julie Bettney, Minister of Human Resources and Employment, announced today the latest details on initiatives designed to improve service for income support clients. The initiatives, which went into effect on October 1, include an extended drug card for singles and families without children, a new liquid assets policy, and a revised rate structure for singles over 29. On an annual basis, these supports are valued at $1.7 million. More...

Implementation of Province’s Strategic Social Plan–on target, on time, says Bettney
July 7, 2000 
The SSP is a vision for social change developed by and for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador

New initiatives announced
Human Resources and Employment 
May 15, 2000 
"...three new initiatives designed to help reduce barriers to employment and make it easier for people on income support to enter or return to the workforce"
- incl. an extended drug card for singles and families without children, a new liquid assets policy, and a revised rate structure for singles over 29. 
All three measures are effective October 1, 2000 

Study of Supports to Persons with Disabilities (PDF file - 340K, 81 pages) 
FINAL REPORT 
Prepared for: 
The Study Steering Committee 
Prepared by: 
Don Gallant and Associates 
March 31, 2000 

Social housing spending
Source : Budget 2000 (March 22, 2000) 
-see also Budget 2000/2001 Related News Releases

Strategic Social Plan demonstration projects approved 
July 23, 1999 
Funding available for Strategic Social Plan demonstration projects
May 4, 1999 
Statement by the Minister of Human Resources and Employment concerning
Demonstration Projects under the Strategic Social Plan
May 4, 1999 

March 1999 Budget: 
- Income support and employment initiatives
- New Low Income Seniors' Benefit introduced

Initiatives to improve the financial position of social assistance clients
(January 29,1999) 

Strategic Social Plan (December 1, 1998 Press Release) 

First meeting of Premier's Council on Social Development
Strategic Social Plan Welfare Reform - October 26, 1998 (Executive Council) 

Premier Unveils Strategic Social Plan
(Press Release, August 31, 1998) 

The Strategic Social Plan (SSP) - 1998 blueprint for welfare reform
- includes links to the full report (large file, available only in .PDF format), the press release, application forms for funding of demonstration projects under SSP and the SSP newsletter 

Report of the Social Policy Advisory Committee (April 1, 1997)