Newfoundland and Labrador - Terre-Neuve et Labrador

Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment
On the home page, you'll find the following links :
* Finding a Job * Planning Your Career * Training * For Employers * Poverty Reduction * Income Support * Immigration * For Students and Graduates * For Persons with Disabilities * Support During Disasters * Frequently Asked Questions * Publications * Forms and Applications * News Releases * About the Department * Quick Links

Policy Manual
- Income Support (no welfare policy manual as such, but the home page of the Income Support Program offers links to more info about the Income Support (Social Assistance) program, including : * Program Overview * Monthly Rates * Applying for Income Support * Child Benefit * Health Related Services * more...

Welfare rates (benefits)
Monthly rates (from Program Overview) - ADDED MAY/09
- incl. Family and Individual Benefit Rates + shelter
See Regulations section 13 foll.
NOTE : the former "Newfoundland and Labrador Family Benefit" no longer appears on the Dept. website; instead, the income support rates page refers to a Family and Individual Benefit (to assist with expenses such as food, clothing, personal care, household maintenance and utilities) and a Shelter benefit
Assistance for children in welfare households is provided though the combined Newfoundland and Labrador Child Benefit and the Canada Child Tax Benefit paid by the federal government.

Newfoundland and Labrador
Poverty Reduction Strategy
The Poverty Reduction Strategy is a Government-wide approach to transform Newfoundland and Labrador from a province with the most poverty to one with the least over a ten year period. The strategy includes initiatives and programs which target the groups most vulnerable to poverty.
- includes * Poverty Reduction Initiatives * Guiding Principles * Documents and News Releases * Partner Departments and Agencies

Source:
Human Resources, Labour and Employment

NOTE: for a good objective summary of Newfoundland and Labrador' Poverty Reduction Strategy, see:

Poverty Reduction Strategies in Quebec and in Newfoundland and Labrador
October 2007
Source:
Parliamentary Research Library
(Government of Canada)

Consultations Helping to Advance the Poverty Reduction Strategy
November 13, 2008
Over the past month, the Provincial Government hosted consultations on the poverty reduction strategy across the province. There were 32 public and community roundtable stakeholder sessions held. Local residents and community group leaders attended the sessions and provided a significant contribution of their time and thoughtful insight in support of the further advancement of the Poverty Reduction Strategy. This marks the end of this phase of the consultations. However, consultation submissions are being accepted up to December 15, 2008. All residents are encouraged to share their views by calling 1-866-883-6600 or going to www.hrle.gov.nl.ca/poverty/index.html
Source:
Human Resources, Labour and Employment

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Province of Newfoundland and Labrador
Launches Poverty Reduction Consultations
October 16, 2008
The Provincial Government is planning a series of public consultations to strengthen its Poverty Reduction Strategy. This will include a series of public sessions, round tables, focus groups, and a website. These consultations are designed to engage individuals living in poverty, the community and the general public in a dialogue on the strategy’s themes, goals and objectives. (...) The Provincial Government will hold public consultation sessions and roundtables in 15 communities across the nine rural secretariat regions of the province. Individuals and groups can also provide their feedback and views. [click the link above for other means of providing input into the consultation]
The deadline for consultation submissions is December 15, 2008.

2008 Consultations
In 2006, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador released Reducing Poverty: An Action Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador (PDF file - 1.6MB, 60 pages). This Action Plan was developed with input from community-based organizations, business, labour and people living in and vulnerable to poverty. The Poverty Reduction Strategy outlines Government’s plan to transform Newfoundland and Labrador from a province with the most poverty to one with the least, within 10 years. Over three budget cycles, and on an ongoing yearly basis, the Provincial Government is investing over $100 million in initiatives aimed to prevent, reduce and alleviate poverty. The Provincial Government has also improved many programs and services. The Provincial Government is now planning for the next phase of the strategy.
- incl. links to more info on:
* Understanding Poverty * Role for the Provincial Government * Progress to Date * Key Themes * Review of Goals and Objectives * Questions for Consideration * Participate in the Consultation Process * * Annex 1 - Groups Helped by Poverty Reduction Strategy * Annex 2 - Description of Poverty Reduction Strategy Initiatives

Poverty Reduction Strategy
2008 Consultation Booklet (PDF - 792K, 36 pages)

Source:
Dept. of Human Resources, Labour and Employment
[ Govt. of Newfoundland and Labrador ]

Related links:

Poverty Reduction Strategy
2008 Consultation Booklet (PDF - 792K, 36 pages)

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New Poverty Reduction Benefits Now in Effect
News Release
July 7, 2008
The Provincial Government is moving forward with a series of investments to improve social benefits and improve equality for individuals and families. Effective July 1, an additional $2 million in benefits under the Poverty Reduction Strategy are being provided to strengthen the social safety net. In Budget 2008, the Provincial Government announced an investment of $12 million in new poverty reduction initiatives. That brings the total ongoing annual investment in poverty reduction to more than $100 million.
Source:
Human Resources, Labour and Employment

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The federal contribution to reducing poverty in Canada:
Evidence presented at Meetings of the Standing Committee
on Human Resources, Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities
(39th PARLIAMENT, 2nd SESSION)

Meeting No. 26 (40 printed pages)
June 10, 2008
Topic : Newfoundland and Labrador's Poverty Reduction Strategy
Witnesses:
Shawn Skinner, Newfoundland and Labrador Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment
Lynn Vivian-Book, Assistant Deputy Minister of Income, Employment and Youth Services, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
Aisling Gogan, Director of the Poverty Reduction Strategy Division, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
Source:
HUMA Meetings (39th PARLIAMENT, 2nd SESSION)
[ Standing Committee on Human Resources, Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA) ]
[ Parliament of Canada website ]

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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: For links to earlier work on poverty reduction in NL and links to poverty reduction elsewhere in Canada,
go to the Antipoverty Strategies and Campaigns page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/antipoverty.htm

Department of Health and Community Services

Departmental Profile
"The Department provides support services to six Regional Institutional Boards, four Regional Health and Community Services Boards, two Regional Integrated Boards and one Regional Nursing Home Board in St. John's. The actual delivery of programs and services including Health Promotion, Disease Prevention, Child, Youth and Family Services and Community Corrections, Family and Rehabilitative Services, Addictions, Mental Health and Continuing Care are provided by community health boards. The institutional boards deliver hospital services and long term accommodations to persons 65 years and older and persons suffering from chronic debilitating diseases."

Publications - links to departmental reports, discussion papers, health plans, etc. from 2002 and 2003

News Releases - 1996 to date, by year

Government strengthens resources for persons with disabilities
News Release
April 12, 2006
In keeping with its commitment to supporting persons with disabilities, the Williams’ government is investing over $4 million in Budget 2006 to enhance services and support for individuals and families living with disabilities said Health and Community Services Minister Tom Osborne. The investment includes addressing the wait list for home support for new clients; increasing social work positions to assist persons with disabilities; and, changing the Special Child Welfare Allowance (SCWA) program to eliminate RESP/RRSPs from the financial assessment process.
Source:
Health and Community Services

Newfoundland and Labrador Statistics Agency

Welfare statistics
Social Assistance Statistics - monthly statistics from 1998 to the most current month

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Historical Health and Welfare Statistics
of Newfoundland and Labrador
HTML table of contents with links to the individual chapters in PDF format
PDF (18.7MB, 318 pages)
Table of Contents:
Foreword and Preface - Population and Vital Statistics - Health and Welfare* - Labour Force - Wages and Working Conditions - Education - Gross Provincial Product and Personal Income - Provincial Government Finance - Banking and Finance - Price Indexes - Agriculture - Fisheries - Forestry - Mining - Manufacturing - Investment - Construction and Housing - Transportation - Communications - Electric Power - Trade and Services - Politics and Government - Justice
*Health and Welfare (PDF file - 504K, 11 pages)
- includes (among other stats) social assistance statistics from 1951 to 1969

Department of Finance

- incl. links to : Minister - Branches/Divisions - Budget 2003 - Fuel Tank Replacement Program - Home Heating Fuel Rebate - Economy - Statistics - News Releases - Publications - Taxes - Tax Credits, Incentives & Benefits - Statutes & Regulations - Pensions Administration Division

News Releases - 1996 to date, by year

Publications On-Line - links to all budgets, throne speeches, special reports, etc.

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
- Go to the Canadian Government Budgets Links page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/budgets.htm

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Earlier budgets:
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Newfoundland and Labrador Budget 2007
April 26, 2007
- incl. links to : Budget Speech - Budget Highlights - Estimates - The Economy - News Releases

A Vision of Opportunity with New Actions to Address Poverty
News Release
- incl. measures for people with disabilities, low income families, women, youth and seniors (Poverty Reduction Strategy)
Source:
News Releases - links to a dozen releases

Google Search Results Links - always current results!
Using the following search terms (without the quote marks):
"Newfoundland provincial budget 2007, analysis"
Web search results page
News search results page
Blog Search Results page
Source:
Google.ca

Newfoundland and Labrador 2006 Budget
March 30, 2006
- incl. links to all budget papers (Budget Speech - Budget Highlights - Estimates - The Economy - News Releases)

Budget 2006 Highlights

Sample news release (one of 13):

March 30, 2006
The Right Choices: Reducing Poverty; Increasing Self Reliance
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."

Google.ca News Search Results:
"Newfoundland Budget 2006"
Google.ca Web Search Results:
"Newfoundland Budget 2006"
Source:
Google.ca

- Go to the Canadian Government Budgets Links page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/budgets.htm

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Newfoundland and Labrador Budget 2005
A New Future. A Renewed Pride.
March 21, 2005
- incl. links to : Budget Speech - Budget Highlights - News Releases - Estimates - The Economy 2005

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.'"

Google.ca News Search Results : "Newfoundland Budget 2005"
Google.ca Web Search Results : "Newfoundland Budget 2005"
Source:
Google.ca

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Newfoundland and Labrador Budget 2004

Newfoundland and Labrador Budget 2004
March 30, 2004
- incl. links to the Budget Speech - Budget Highlights - News Releases - Estimates - The Economy 2004
Source:
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador

Google News search Results : "Newfoundland budget 2004"
Google Web Search Results : "Newfoundland budget 2004"
Source:
Google.ca

For info on other Canadian jurisdictions' budgets, go to the Canadian Social Research Links Canadian Government Budgets page

House of Assembly
Includes links to : Today in the House - House Business - Members - Statutes and Regulations - Young People and Educators - Reference Materials - Contact info - Links

Statutes and Regulations (periodically updated)

.

Department of Justice
- incl. links to : Minister - About Us - Legislation - Publications - News Releases - FAQs - Links

News Releases - 1996 to 2003, by year

.

Department of Education

What's New

News Releases - 1996 to date, by year

Ministerial Council on Early Childhood Learning established
News Release
February 8, 2005
"Tom Hedderson, Minister of Education, is pleased to announce the formation of a Ministerial Council on Early Childhood Learning as indicated in the 2004 Speech from the Throne. Government is fostering a cross-departmental approach to this important issue. Through the council, Education Minister Tom Hedderson; Health and Community Services Minister John Ottenheimer; Human Resources, Labour and Employment Minister and Minister Responsible for the Status of Women Joan Burke; and Tom Rideout, Minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs, will provide strategic direction for provincial early childhood learning programs and services. The council will foster the coordination and development of comprehensive programs that focus on the early learning needs of children and their families."
Source:
Department of Education

Related Links: go to the Government Early Learning and Child Care Links page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/ecd.htm

Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs

Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement-in-Principle signed
June 26, 2001