ONE IN THREE PENSIONERS IS LIVING IN POVERTY IN CANADA

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CANADIAN SENIORS ARE GETTING RIPPED OFF- Monthly payments like our gov. paycheques in the 60s... paid 4 only 50 weeks of the year NOT 52 weeks... this month of October will wait almost 40 days??? -and same 4 poorest of the poor September 22, 2014- POVERTY HURTS IN NOVA SCOTIA AND CANADA- No Racial Discrimination living poor- we thought we'd change the world in the 60s from parents and grandparents working their guts out with NO Pension - just poverty- what happened Canada- Nova Scotia??

senior poverty in canada - we worked like animals as children and all our lives and end up in horrendous disabled aged poverty- Oh Canada

Senior Poverty in Canada shocking

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Holy Sheeeet Sherlock- incredible article- I get MacLeans (well it’s Canadian) and totally agree- BUT THE LETTERS IN THIS WEEK’S MACLEANS- tells our poverty seniors story which is 90% of us seniors...

The real war over inequality isn’t between old and young

By Linda McQuaig | Sep 24, 2014 8:59 pm

More from Linda McQuaig available here

I turn to Maclean’s if I want to know what idea conservatives will be pushing next. So when I saw a recent copy of the magazine featuring a jarring photo of an old person’s wrinkled hand with the middle finger raised, I realized the Right is gearing up to make generational conflict the next big thing.

Paired with that pic was a cover photo of a smiling, white-haired older woman holding a wad of $50 bills, with many more floating around her head, as if money were raining down on her. The cover headline: “OLD. RICH. SPOILED.”

The gist of the piece was that older Canadians are making out like bandits, enjoying untold affluence and scooping up the lion’s share of government financial support, while young people struggle to get by.

A study released by the Conference Board of Canada this week painted a similar picture of a growing income gap between old and young — a gap that could “trigger a backlash” among young people unwilling to pay high taxes when the benefits largely go to their elders, suggested report co-author and conference board vice-president David Stewart-Patterson.

Maclean’s and the Conference Board report together raise an incredibly important issue: the lack of opportunity for young people in today’s economy.

But they also share a very particular spin on this tale — a spin that pits old against young, while studiously avoiding the root cause of the problem: policies that have led to a widening gap between rich and poor of all ages.

“It’s the golden age of seniors,” Maclean’s tells us. Well, sure — for some. In fact, there’s a huge divide between high-income and low-income seniors, and the Harper government has deepened that divide — by failing to strengthen the Canada Pension Plan (which is crucial to low-income seniors) and by supporting pension changes that leave workers financially vulnerable.

Meanwhile, the Harper government has further enriched some of the richest old people by introducing income-splitting for seniors — an outrageous tax break that offers no benefit whatsoever to the vast majority of seniors while giving up more than $6,500 a year in tax savings to the richest seniors.

Above all, the Right wants to ensure that the anger of disaffected young people doesn’t end up aimed at the corporate elite — as it was during Occupy Wall Street’s campaign against the growing wealth and power of the ‘one per cent’.

So the suggestion that seniors as a group receive too much government support is absurd. Rich seniors, who need it least, are dramatically over-subsidized by government. Poor seniors — the ones who need more help — have been all but abandoned by the Harper government.

For that matter, the precarious financial situation faced by the young is part of the erosion of economic security for working people in general, as an increasingly powerful corporate sector pushes governments to redesign tax and trade laws in its favour, and to weaken union and workplace protections. This has allowed corporations to scoop up an increasingly large share of national income, at the expense of labour.

This corporate-government attack on workers has been fierce — but older workers, with more seniority, have been better positioned to defend themselves.

As a result, it’s now common to have two-tier workplaces, where new hires receive pay and benefits that are a fraction of what long-time employees receive.

But it’s corporations that have created this highly unequal situation, by taking advantage of vulnerable younger workers. Unions have fought bitterly against the two-tier workplace, knowing it will weaken worker solidarity.

Both Maclean’s and Stewart-Patterson suggest that young people could deal with their plight by launching a tax revolt — the Right’s favourite cause — which would lead to further cuts to our social safety net. How convenient it would be for conservatives if it could enlist young people in an anti-tax crusade.

A much better solution for young people would be a stronger social safety net: increased government subsidies for university and college tuition, a universal child care program and direct investments in job creation, particularly for youth.

The wealth accumulation at the top continues to accelerate, which can only lead to an ever-widening gap between rich and poor — as economist Thomas Piketty documented in his acclaimed New York Times best-seller Capital in the Twenty-First Century.

When Maclean’s ran a cover story about income inequality last year, there was no hint of class conflict — no picture of a rich CEO with his middle finger raised.

Rather, the story — entitled ‘Who Earns What?’ — simply laid out what different people (including some celebrities) were being paid, and posed the question on the cover: “How do you measure up?”

Readers with low salaries were thereby encouraged not to feel that the system is rigged against them — but to feel bad about their own personal income inadequacies.

Winner of a National Newspaper Award, Linda McQuaig has been a reporter for the Globe and Mail, a columnist for the National Post and the Toronto Star. She was the New Democrat candidate in Toronto Centre in 2013. She is the author of seven controversial best-sellers, including Shooting the Hippo: Death by Deficit and other Canadian Myths and It’s the Crude, Dude: War, Big Oil and the Fight for the Planet. Her most recent book (co-written with Neil Brooks) is The Trouble with Billionaires: How the Super-Rich Hijacked the World, and How We Can Take It Back.

You can reach her at linda@lindamcquaig.com

The views, opinions and positions expressed by all iPolitics columnists and contributors are the author’s alone. They do not inherently or expressly reflect the views, opinions and/or positions of iPolitics.

http://www.ipolitics.ca/2014/09/24/this-isnt-age-warfare-its-still-class-warfare/

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OECD warns poverty among seniors rising in Canada, points to ...

www.thestar.com/.../oecd_warns_poverty_among_seniors_rising_in_canada_points_to_public_pensions_gap.html - Cached - Similar
26 Nov 2013 ... OTTAWA—An international think-tank warns that poverty

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1. Canada Pension Monthly Payments 2014 Calendar | Journal ...

news-taxes.rhcloud.com/read/canada-pension-monthly... Cached

Do you know how much canada pension plan you will get when you retire?How much will canada pension plan pay you ... Canada Pension Monthly ... fashion week paris 2016 ...

CANADA: STATE PENSION IS PAID MONTHLY ; THEREFORE, CANADIANS LOSE 2 WEEKS A YEAR $$$$ BENEFITS

CANADA PENSION PLAN

The average monthly CPP benefit as of October 2012 was $528.49. The maximum payment in 2013 is $1,012.50. The government adjusts the CPP rate every January to account for changes in cost of living as measured by the Consumer Price Index.

According to Service Canada, "If you have lived and worked in Canada most years between age 18 and 65 and earned about the average Canadian wage ($39,100 in 2002), at age 65 you would receive a CPP retirement pension of about $788 a month."

CANADA: OLD AGE SECURITY - MONTHLY- THERE4 CANADIANS LOSE 2 WEEKS A YEAR OF $$$ BENEFITS

Old Age Security pension and benefits - Monthly payment amounts and maximum annual income - July to September 2014

Your situation	Maximum monthly payment amount	Maximum annual income to receive the OAS pension ^{Footnote 1}
Old Age Security (OAS) pension
Regardless of your marital status	$558.71

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OLD AGE... POPULATIONS GLOBALLY- AND YOUTH - GLOBAL MAPS... O Canada

These maps show where the world’s youngest and oldest people live

Does this tell us where the next revolution will take place?

What can the median age of a country tell you about its future?

Turns out, quite a bit. Using data from the CIA Factbook, we’ve created the graphics below to show you the median age of every country in the world.

There are 1.2 billion people between the ages of 15 and 24 in the world today — and that means that many countries have populations younger than ever before.

Some believe that this "youth bulge" helps fuel social unrest — particularly when combined with high levels of youth unemployment. Writing for the Guardian last year, John Podesta, director of the progressive Center for American Progress, warned that youth unemployment is a “global time bomb,” as long as today’s millennials remain “hampered by weak economies, discrimination, and inequality of opportunity.”

The world’s 15 youngest countries are all in Africa. Of the continent’s 200 million young people, about 75 million are unemployed. The world’s youngest country is Niger, with a median age of 15.1, and Uganda comes in at a close second at 15.5.

On the flip side, an aging population presents a different set of problems: Japan and Germany are tied for the world’s oldest countries, with median ages of 46.1. Germany’s declining birth rate might mean that its population will decrease by 19 percent, shrinking to 66 million by 2060. An aging population has a huge economic impact: in Germany, it has meant a labor shortage, leaving jobs unfilled.

What do you think will be the long-term impact of the world's shifting demographics?

The World

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/health/140904/map-youth-elderly-world-political-unrest-economy-unemployment

AND.. THE SOURCE

Source- CIA Factbook

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/health/140904/map-youth-elderly-world-political-unrest-economy-unemployment

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1. UNITED KINGDOM Is state pension paid monthly or every 4 weeks?

https://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20091013074428AAX9ZTF

o Published 2009-10-13

2009-10-13 · ... you will be given the option to receive it weekly or four weekly. It will not be paid monthly, ... is state pension paid monthly or ... Pensions Query ...

COMMENT:

When you reach pensionable age, you will be given the option to receive it weekly or four weekly. It will not be paid monthly, as the original calculations are based on a weekly payment..

comment:/activity?show=GBMR57KT66AT556ZHAAOW5DV4I&t=g

Mine is paid into my bank account every 4 weeks so I get 13 payments per year

PENSIONS-

Pensions and discounts for seniors

http://www.cab.org.nz/vat/money/ben/Pages/Superannuation.aspx

A quick guide to EI benefits

http://www.poss.ca/en/content/quick-guide-ei-benefits

How much will you get from Canada Pension Plan in Retirement?

http://retirehappy.ca/how-much-will-you-get-from-canada/

united kingdom

£144-a-week state pension is a 'con', says pensioners' group

The government will outline its plan for a £144-a-week state pension in a white paper today.

http://citywire.co.uk/money/144-a-week-state-pension-is-a-con-says-pensioners-group/a650620

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Canadian Income Tax

http://lsminsurance.ca/calculators/canada/income-tax

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Canada's Retirement Income System

Did you know that you’ve already started building your retirement income? By living and working in Canada, you participate in one of the best public pension systems in the world.

CANADA’S RETIREMENT INCOME SYSTEM HAS THREE LEVELS:

1. Old Age Security (OAS) provides the first level, or foundation. If you meet certain residence requirements, you’ll be entitled to a modest monthly pension once you reach the age of 65.
2. The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) is the second level of the system. It provides you with a monthly retirement pension as early as 60, if you have paid into it. The Canada Pension Plan also offers disability, survivor and death benefits. Quebec has a similar plan, called the Quebec Pension Plan.
3. The third level of the retirement income system consists of private pensions and savings.
The first and second levels of Canada’s retirement income system make up Canada’s public pension system. Today, these pensions form a significant part of the income of Canada’s seniors. But public pensions are not intended to meet all your financial needs in retirement. Rather, they provide a modest base for you to build upon with additional, private savings.
Many financial planners say that you will need about 70 percent of your current (pre-tax) earnings to maintain your standard of living in retirement. For example, if you earn $60,000 now, you might aim for $42,000 of income in retirement. However, this is only a general rule. You’ll need to look at your own circumstances to decide what level of income is right for you.

OLD AGE SECURITY

The Old Age Security (OAS) program is the cornerstone of Canada’s retirement income system. It includes a basic pension that goes to almost all people 65 or older who have lived in Canada for a certain time. Old Age Security is Canada’s largest public pension program. It provides a modest monthly pension to most people, starting at the age of 65.
The Government of Canada pays OAS benefits from general tax revenues.
You qualify by living in Canada.
Generally, you must be 65 and a resident of Canada for at least 10 years after your 18th birthday to receive OAS in Canada.
A little history: OAS (Old Age Security program) was introduced in 1951 and was designed for pension at the age of 70. In 1960 the age criteria has been changed, the new age requirement to receive these benefits was reduced to 65. Since then, the average life expectancy has increased in men by 5 years and 7 years in women. Constantly increasing life expectancy, with increasing number of retirees (baby-boomer) has become a bigger financial burden to the government. In 1970s, there was 1 pensioner to 7 active workers, in just 20 years that ration has changed to 2 active workers per pensioner. To maintain the level of ongoing benefits, the government has decided to, in near future, change the age criteria and increase the required age from 65 to 67. Canadians, currently under the age of 54, will now only be able to retire at a later age, not the regular 65. Anyone born prior to April 1st, 1958 (everyone 54 or older as of March 31st, 2012), will be eligible to receive OAS at the age of 65 as usual. Anyone born in year 1963 or later will be eligible for OAS at the age of 67. Anyone with a birth day in between the two years will be eligible a month later for every two month of later birth day (see the table). This table was created using the government of Canada information at
www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/services/pensions/oas/changes/age/index.shtml.
A person that has lived in Canada for over 20 years since the age 18 will continue to receive OAS even if this person moves from Canada to another country. However, if the person has not lived in Canada for at least 20 years since the age 18 and leaves Canada for a period longer than 6 months, excluding the month in which departure occurred, pension payouts for any period beyond those 6 months may be stopped. The person would have to reapply for OAS upon their return.
How much income to expect
The amount of OAS you receive depends on the number of years you live in Canada after you turn 18. Generally, you receive a full pension if you live in Canada for at least 40 years after 18. If you live here for less time, you may qualify for a partial pension. With a partial pension, you’ll receive 1/40th of the full pension for each complete year you live in Canada after you turn 18.

SUMMARY OF OAS RATES AND BENEFITS

Maximum OAS, GIS and SPA Benefit Rates for October – December 2013		Maximum Monthly payment amount	Maximum annual income to receive the OAS pension and benefits
Old Age Security (OAS) Maximum benefits		$550.99	$114,815 Footnote 2 (individual income)
Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) amounts for individuals receiving a full Old Age Security (OAS) pension	If you are a single, widowed or divorced pensioner	$747.11	$16,704 (individual income)
	If your spouse/common-law partner receives the full OAS pension	$495.39	$22,080 (combined income)
	If your spouse/common-law partner does not receive an OAS pension	$747.11	$40,032 (combined income)
Spouse’s Allowance (SPA) (for pensioners from age 60 to 64)	If your spouse/common-law partner receives the GIS and the full OAS pension	$1,046.38	$30,912 (combined income)
Spouse’s Allowance (SPA) (for pensioners from age 60 to 64)	If you are a surviving spouse or common-law partner	$1,171.48	$22,488 (individual income)

The table was created using the information from Service Canada website
www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/services/pensions/oas/payments/index.shtml.

If you have little or no income other than the OAS pension when you retire, you may be eligible for the (GIS) Guaranteed Income Supplement, a guaranteed addition to your pension. Almost a million and a half pensioners, whose base income, based on certain standards, qualifies as low, qualify for the federally guaranteed addition Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS). The amount you receive depends on your income or your joint income if you have a spouse or common-law partner. Its size depends on your income or a combination of your and your spouse’s income. It is an addition to your monthly OAS pension. Maximum GIS payment for the year 2013 is $747.11 for one person and $495.39 per spouse if it is a couple.
Depending on total income of the person receiving the pension, an increase in the income may result in reduction of social benefits. Such a reduction is referred to as clawback. The sum of social assistance and its reduction is determined based on the pensioner’s base income from last year, excluding the Old Age Security portion. The income includes pension from the Canadian Pension Plan, pension from your employer, individual RRSP, interest on savings, etc. GIS will decrease by $1 for every $2 of income, generated outside the Old Age Security.
The sum of income, at which the social benefits are fully reduced is referred to as income level cutoff.
Specific Number
For one person
The maximum government addition to pension (GIS benefit), paid to a single pensioner or an elderly, who’s spouse or common law is not receiving Old Age Security and any social assistance, in the first quarter of 2013 would have been $747.11. The addition would have been reduced by $1 for every $2 of base pension income. A single person loses qualification to receive this addition, if their pension income outside of Old Age Security is $16,704.
Spouse and common law partners.
A person whose spouse or common law partner is also receiving a pension or any social assistance, in the first quarter of 2013, as a government addition would have received a maximum of $495.39 per month. This amount would also decreased by $1 for every $2 of base pension income. A couple loses qualification to receive this addition, if their combined pension income outside of Old Age Security is $22,080.
OAS is taxable, GIS and the Allowance are not.
If your net individual income is above a set threshold, your OAS pension will be reduced. This threshold ($67,668 in 2011) is adjusted each year for inflation. Only about five percent of seniors receive reduced OAS pensions, and only two percent lose the entire amount.
If you receive the basic OAS pension while living outside Canada, it is paid in Canadian dollars and you receive a tax slip to report it in your country of residence. Your pension may also be subject to Canadian income tax.
OAS pensions, the GIS and the Allowance are adjusted for inflation every January, April, July and October.
Keep your records to prove the time you live in Canada.
If you live outside the country for a period of time, keep records of your travels (such as passports and airline tickets) to show when you left and when you returned to Canada. This will help prove your eligibility for the OAS pension.
IT’S NOT AUTOMATIC - You should apply for your Old Age Security pension six months before you turn 65. To receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement and the Allowance, you must also apply for them, and then renew them every year. This is usually done by filing an income tax return before April 30.
As of July 2013, you can defer receiving your Old Age Security (OAS) pension for up to 60 months (5 years) after the date you become eligible for an OAS pension in exchange for a higher monthly amount. If you delay receiving your OAS pension, your monthly pension payment will be increased by 0.6% for every month you delay receiving it, up to a maximum of 36% at age 70. (Source - www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/services/pensions/oas/changes/deferral.shtml)
If you choose to defer receipt of your OAS pension, you will not be eligible for the Guaranteed Income Supplement, and your spouse or common-law partner will not be eligible for the Allowance benefit for the period you are delaying your OAS pension.

CANADA PENSION PLAN

The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and the Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) can provide you with a monthly retirement pension and other benefits.
The Canada Pension Plan pays a monthly retirement pension to people who have worked and contributed to the CPP. The CPP also acts as an insurance plan, providing disability and survivor benefits for those who qualify. It provides a monthly income to you and your dependent children if you become severely disabled during your working years. It also provides a monthly income to your surviving spouse or common-law partner and dependent children if you die. A lump-sum death benefit is available to your estate when you die.
Your CPP contributions are based on earnings between a minimum and maximum amount, as measured by statistics Canada.
For example, in 2013, you pay contributions only on earnings between $3,500 and $51,100.
If, Helga earned a total of $27,000 in 2013. Her contributory earnings are therefore $23,500, calculated as ($27,000 - $3,500). For example, Helmut earned a total of $62,000 in 2013. His earnings are above the maximum $51,100, so his contributory earnings are $47,600, calculated as the lesser of $62,000 and $51,100 minus $3,500.
Contribution Rates
In 2013, the employee’s contribution rate was set at 4.95% of pensionable earnings. (Service Canada -
www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/services/pensions/cpp/contributions/index.shtml). Self-employed individuals contribute both the employer and employee’s shares, or 9.9% of pensionable earnings in 2013.
In 2013, Joe, who is self-employed, earned $62,000 after all business expenses. This amount is above the maximum. His contributory earnings are $47,600, calculated as ($51,100.- $3,500). His CPP contribution for the year is $4,712.40, calculated as ($47,600x 9.9%). If Eleanor earned $22,500 in 2013 from her employer. Her contributory earnings are $19,000, calculated as ($22,500 - $3,500). Her CPP contribution is $940.50, calculated as ($19,000 x 4.95%). Her employer also contributes $940.50.

SUMMARY OF CPP RATES AND BENEFITS

Contributions (in dollars)	Annual
Yearly maximum pensionable earnings	51,100.00
Basic exemption	3,500.00
Employer contribution rate	4.95%
Employee contribution rate	4.95%
Maximum employee contribution	2,356.20
Maximum self-employeed contribution	4,712.40

Maximum benefits		Maximum monthly payment amount (2013)	Maximum annual payment amount (2013)
Retirement pension, age 65		$1,012.50	$12,150.00
Maximum disability pension	for disabled contributor	$1,212.90	$14,554.80
Maximum disability pension	for dependent child	$228.66	$2,743.92
Survivor's benefits	surviving spouse, age 65 or over	$607.50	$7,290.00
	surviving spouse, under 65 and raising a dependent child or disabled	$556.64	$6,678.68
	dependent child (orphans benefit)	$228.66	$2,743.92
Death benefit			2,500.00

The table was created using the information from Service Canada website
www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/services/pensions/cpp/payments/.

Your employer deducts your contributions from your pay and makes an equal contribution. If you are self-employed, you act as both employee and employer and pay both portions.
The Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA) collects contributions on behalf of CPP. CPP funds are kept separate from general tax revenues. They are used only to pay benefits, cover administrative costs and make investments.
You qualify by working in Canada
Generally, all workers in Canada over the age of 18 pay into the CPP (or the QPP) and qualify for benefits.
How much income to expect
IIn general, your retirement pension replaces about 25 percent of the earnings on which you paid into the CPP. The exact amount depends on how much and for how long you contribute. The age at which you decide to take your pension also affects the amount you receive each month.
In 2013, the maximum CPP retirement pension is $1,012.50 per month if taken at the age of 65.
CPP coverage offers some flexibility
Over the course of your career and if you raise a family, there may be years when you have low or even no earnings. This would normally reduce your CPP benefits because of the lower contributions you make during those years. However, CPP excludes 15 percent of your lowest earning years when calculating your retirement pension. Time spent away from work while you raise children under the age of seven can also be "dropped out" of the calculation; these provisions ensure that your future pension is not reduced because of a few low-earning years.
The age you start your pension makes a difference… forever
The normal age that you start receiving a CPP retirement pension is 65. However, you can start receiving your pension as early as 60 or as late as 70. If you start your pension before 65, you must stop working or earn less than a maximum amount for a required period of time. If you start your pension early, it is permanently reduced by 0.5 percent for each month that you are under 65. If you start your pension later, it is increased by 0.5 percent for each month that you re over 65, up to the age of 70.
CPP retirement pensions are protected from inflation
CPP monthly retirement pensions are adjusted for inflation every January to keep up with increases in the cost of living.
CPP retirement pensions are taxable
You and your spouse or common-law partner can share your CPP retirement pensions equally if you are at least 60 years old and have both applied for retirement pensions. This may result in income tax savings. You must apply to have your pension shared.
Plan for your retirement - use your personal Statement of Contributions
Each year, we provide a personal "Statement of Contributions" to all CPP contributors. If you are 30 or over, your statement estimates the retirement pension you can expect from the CPP. It also estimates the benefits you and your dependents could receive if you became disabled or died. Your statement is a very useful financial planning tool.
Verify your Statement of Contributions
Your statement gives a detailed history of your earnings and of your contributions to both the Canada Pension Plan and Quebec Pension Plan (if you worked in Quebec). You should make sure your statement is accurate. You may find it helpful to compare the employment income and CPP contributions you reported on your annual income tax returns with the earnings and contributions recorded on your statement.
IT’S NOT AUTOMATIC - You should apply for your CPP retirement pension at least 6-11 months before you want it to start. You can obtain an application by internet or by phone.
Have you lived or worked outside Canada?
Canada has agreements with many countries that can help you to get social security benefits from either country. If you did not live or work long enough in one country to qualify for benefits there, the time your spent in that country may still be considered when determining your eligibility to receive benefits from either country. To find out if a country has an agreement with Canada, visit web site or call toll-free number (useful links).
Information about the third level of the retirement income system that consists from group and private pensions you can read in section "Canada's Retirement System and RRSP" (Employer Pensions Plans).
This information was taken from Human Resources Development of Canada brochure "Canada’s Retirement Income System. What’s in it for you".

http://www.totrov.com/english/pension_system.htm

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Elderly Poverty

The proportion of individuals over age 65 with disposable income less than 50 per cent of the median income in a given country.

Please note:
The data on this page are current as of January 2013.

E-mail

Key Messages

Canada ranks in third place and scores an “A” on this indicator.
Poverty among the elderly in Canada is at 6.7 per cent, much lower than for children or the working-age population.
After 20 years of reductions, Canada’s elderly poverty rate rose between the mid-1990s and late 2000s.

Elderly Poverty Rate, Late 2000s (chart)

Putting elderly poverty in context

By 2050, the number of people aged 65 and older will more than triple, to 1.5 billion worldwide. Aging presents a significant challenge to the long-term sustainability of public finances through increases in demand for public pensions, health services, and long-term care in Canada and its peer countries. Together, rising life expectancy and low fertility create a demographic pincer movement, the impact of which is sharpened by increasingly early retirement. In Europe, there are about 35 people of pensionable age for every 100 people of working age. If present demographic trends continue, there will be 75 pensioners for every 100 workers in 2050.¹

Canada, like its peers, has a greying population. In 2030, an estimated 23 per cent of the Canadian population will be over age 65, double the share in 1990.

Elderly poverty is both a social and a fiscal problem that will be exacerbated as higher percentages of populations in developed countries move into the over-65 demographic. Poverty rates among the elderly tend to be highest among women, particularly widows over the age of 75. This is largely due to pension allowances that have traditionally been linked to employment history.

As Canada and its peers work to encourage the growth of private pensions as a means of decreasing reliance on public pension systems, the most vulnerable among the elderly are being put at greater risk of poverty. According to The European Centre for Social Welfare Policy and Research, “Systematic reforms have changed the nature of pension provision from defined benefit type provisions to defined contribution type provisions.”² Defined contribution plans—in which people receive only what they put into the plan plus whatever that investment earns—can result in a greater risk of poverty in retirement for people who have earned less while working.

http://www.conferenceboard.ca/hcp/details/society/elderly-poverty.aspx

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10 Things You Might Not Know About Poverty In Canada

OCTOBER 17, 2013

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(Photo: Reuters)

In 1993, the UN designated October 17 the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, and later adopted the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger as the core of its Millennium Development Goals. The theme for this year is "Working together towards a world without discrimination: Building on the experience and knowledge of people in extreme poverty."

To mark the day, here are some things about poverty in Canada that you might not know:

10. It's hard to measure

There is no official measure of poverty in Canada. Statistics Canada reports that 14.9 per cent of Canadians have "low income" (i.e. make less than half the median income) but declines to label that group "poor." Low income is only one way of measuring poverty, though; another is the "basic needs poverty measure," which looks at the absolute minimum resources needed to fulfill physical well-being. The "market basket measure," created by the Department of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, takes a similar approach with a broader range of goods and services, estimating the disposable income needed to meet basic needs. In 2008, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) noted that poverty had been steadily rising in Canada since the mid-1990s.

9. It varies widely between different groups

Regardless of how you try to measure poverty, certain groups are worse off than others. A study by the left-leaning Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives found that Aboriginal Canadians make about 30 per cent less than the rest of Canadians. Other groups more likely to be affected by poverty include lone parents, recent immigrants, people with disabilites and seniors, according to Statistics Canada.

8. Child poverty is high in Canada

Canada ranks behind the average in a recent UNICEF survey of child poverty in rich nations. According to the report, 13.3 per cent of Canadian children live in poverty, compared to 11 per cent across the 35 "economically advanced countries" studied. According to one study, half of First Nations children in Canada live in poverty.

7. It's a significant burden on the economy

Poverty can exert extra health care, crime and social assistance costs. According to an estimate from the Ontario Association of Food Banks, poverty costs that province betwen 5.5 and 6.6 per cent of its Gross Domestic Product. That same report pegs the national health care costs attributable to poverty at $7.6 billion.

6. Many Canadians spend too much on shelter

In 1986, the federal and provincial governments established a threshold of housing affordability set at 30 per cent of a resident's monthly income. By that standard, a full quarter — or 3.3 million households — in Canada are paying more than they should on housing, according to data from the National Household Survey released this year.

5. Poverty can shorten your life

An analysis by The Hamilton Spectator showed that there was a 21-year gap in life expectancy between that city's richest and poorest neighbourhoods.

4. Many don't have enough to eat

According to Food Banks Canada, nearly 900,000 Canadians are assisted by food banks each month. Thirty-eight per cent of those helped by food banks are children and youth and 11 per cent are Aboriginal (compared to 4.3 per cent of the total population).

3. Homelessness is widespread

As many as 200,000 Canadians will experience homelessness each year, according to a recent reportfrom the Canadian Homelessness Research Network. On any given night, about 30,000 Canadians are homeless.

2. Debt levels are on the rise

Last month, Statistics Canada reported that the Canadian household debt-to-income ratio had climbed to a new high of 163.4 per cent — in other words, the average Canadian owes $1.63 for every dollar they earn.

1. Early investment can yield big dividends

A 2008 report from the Public Health Agency of Canada argues that reducing child poverty can have huge spillover effects on society. "It is estimated that $1 invested in the early years saves between $3 and $9 in future spending on the health and criminal justice systems, as well as on social assistance," the report says.

http://www.cbc.ca/strombo/news/10-things-you-might-not-know-about-poverty-in-canada

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POVERTY AND DESPAIR - IN NOVA SCOTIA AND CANADA- is no picnic.... Social Services-Canada-Nova Scotia Municipalities- the horror and the help/KIDS HELP LINES/BRUTAL BEATINGS AND ABUSE HELP LINES -M.A.D.D. -drunk killer gets jail/the nightmare of prostitution of kids/heat over food should not be a choice in Canada imho/211 help lines

BLOGGED:

CANADA MILITARY NEWS: Nova Scotia Domestic Violence Shelters/BULLYCIDE-BULLY HELP SITES/Homeless Shelters/UK /Australia/Canada- u matter- MARCH 8- INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY.... One Billion rising- breaking the chains- no more excuses- Nova Scotia honours Warrior Woman Rita MacNeil March 8th concert of remembrance

http://nova0000scotia.blogspot.ca/2013/12/canada-military-news-nova-scotia.html

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BLOGGED:

HOMELESS HARLEY LAWRENCE OF NOVA SCOTIA- MURDERED DOWN ON MAIN- We must do better Nova Scotia- Canada- we just must- tears and prayers -a little good news-MAY 2014- CATCHING MONSTERS CAUGHT- HEALING GARDEN BUILT IN BERWICK NS-honour/June 28 2014- Another beloved Homeless Man savaged in Halifax Nova Scotia- LET'S FIX THIS- GOD'S WATCHING AND LOSING FAITH IN US /25 Famous people who were Homeless 2/ OPEN ARMS KENTVILLE- WHY AREN'T U OPENED 4 OUR BELOVED HOMELESS??

http://nova0000scotia.blogspot.ca/2013/10/homeless-harley-lawrence-of-nova-scotia.html

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BLOGGED:

CANADA- NOVA SCOTIA- HUMAN RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS- A BIT OF HISTORY OF NOVA SCOTIA

http://nova0000scotia.blogspot.ca/2013/12/canada-nova-scotia-human-rights-and.html

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CANADA- SEPTEMBER 2013- STATISTICS STUDY ON SCHOOL BULLYING

http://www.stopabully.ca/bullying-resources/bullying-statistics

BLOGGED:

CANADA MILITARY NEWS: Major Reports- Statistics- September 2013-Canada- STOP A BULLY/ USA- ARC OF HOPE- Breaking the Chains of Abuse- It's Time- NO MORE BULLYCIDES

http://nova0000scotia.blogspot.ca/2013/11/canada-military-news-major-reports.html

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BLOGGED:

HEY NOVA SCOTIA- HEY CANADA- Men Ending Violence against Women- Man 2 Man- Don't be that guy- APRIL 8, 2014- also 2 Rehtaeh Parsons and all who suffer/ed - Pls. don't be a bystander guys- we raised u better Canada/DAILY UPDATES

http://nova0000scotia.blogspot.ca/2014/04/hey-nova-scotia-hey-canada-men-ending.html

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BLOGGED:

CANADA MILITARY NEWS: Sep 12- Canada's stepping up - no more abuses or excuses of rape, abuse of children and women/photos/videos/ wake up Canada- One Billion Rising/St. Mary's steps up/UBC steps up/ Canada

http://nova0000scotia.blogspot.ca/2013/09/canada-military-news-sep-12-canadas.html

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Classified - 3 Foot Tall

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLqxX71s8S0

comment:

thts wut i feel lik when im being bullied in real life :(

LINKS ON BULLYING AND CHILD ABUSE- (Mind Rape/Physical Torture/Sexual Assault)

FOR KIDS- TWEENS-TEENS-YOUNGBLOODS- But perhaps most of all….. each and every Canadain Adult- we must take more responsibility and be more vigilant:

To learn more about bullying and if u r being abused- check out:

HELP LINES....

NO MORE BULLYING- NO MORE- CANADA'S STEPPING UP...

TO CANADA'S CLASSIFIED... 4 EVERY KID IN THE WORLD- whether ur 2 or 102- we've all been there...

see u got that Inner Ninja going on- and don't 4get kids and elders are also ur fans- u chisel ur words in stone on our hearts and bring hope from despair 4 homeless kids and kids who have just had a shitty chance at life- thanks Canadian son... and taps out 2 David Myles who also has Canada's flag wrapped around his heart and soul- the Buddy Holly of Canada

Classified - Inner Ninja ft. David Myles

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGhyL8zg3_I

LINKS ON BULLYING AND CHILD ABUSE- (Mind Rape/Physical Torture/Sexual Assault)

FOR KIDS- TWEENS-TEENS-YOUNGBLOODS- But perhaps most of all..... each and every Canadain Adult- we must take more responsibility and be more vigilant:

To learn more about bullying and if u r being abused- check out:

www.stopcyberbullying.org

www.cyberbullying.novascotia.ca

www.prevnet.ca

www.cpha.ca/en/activities/safe-schools.aspx

http://needhelpnow.ca/app/en/ AND http://needhelpnow.ca/app/fr/

RespectED: Violence & Abuse Prevention

http://www.redcross.ca/article.asp?id=000294

www.kidshelpphone.ca

If you are a victim of bullying, call The Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868.

Aaron

The Girl you just called fat? She has been starving herself & has lost over 30lbs.

The Boy you just called stupid? He has a learning disability & studies over 4hrs a night.

The Girl you just called ugly? She spends hours putting makeup on hoping people will like her.

The Boy you just tripped? He's abused enough at home. There's a lot more to people than you think.

Put this as your status if you're against bullying!

OTHER LINKS:

To learn more about bullying, check out:

www.stopcyberbullying.org

www.cyberbullying.novascotia.ca

www.prevnet.ca

www.cpha.ca/en/activities/safe-schools.aspx

www.kidshelpphone.ca

If you are a victim of bullying, call The Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868.

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BLOGGED:

http://nova0000scotia.blogspot.ca/2013/12/canada-military-news-nova-scotia.html

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SERVICE NS/MUNICIPAL RELATIONS: Launch of new 211 ...

nsbs.org/service-nsmunicipal-relations-launch-new-211-service

"With the launch of 211, we've reached a major milestone on the path to connecting Nova Scotians with the community and social services they need, as soon ...

FAQs

http://nsbs.org/service-nsmunicipal-relations-launch-new-211-service

1. WHAT IS 211?

211 is a free, confidential information and referral service for thousands of community and social services available across the province. It is available throughout the province – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year – by dialing “2-1-1” to speak to a helpful staff member or by searching the easy-to-use online database at www.ns.211.ca.

2. WHO CAN/WILL USE 211?

211 is for people from all walks of life, seeking information about community and social services in their community or throughout the Province, either for themselves or for someone else. For example, it could be used by someone seeking home care support for a senior citizen, a teenager looking for job-seeking skills, a recent immigrant needing language and employment training, or a person with disabilities determining which local or government services are available in their community.

3. HOW DOES 211 WORK?

211 has collected detailed information on over 3,000 community and social services and programs delivered throughout the Province by local community groups, non-profit agencies and government departments. The information at 211 is organized by “need” – not by who delivers the service – this makes it much easier to search. Importantly, 211 is dedicated to working everyday to expand the list of services and to ensure it is always accurate.

4. WHY IS 211 USEFUL?

When a difficult social situation is being faced for the first time, the path to overcoming it might not seem obvious. Finding home care for an aging parent, dealing with a troubled teenager or experiencing an addiction or job loss are just a few examples of the hundreds of possible social situations that aren’t a normal part of life for most people. That’s where 211 comes in. The team at 211 has solutions that are a call or a “click” away and are there to help people navigate the network of services to find the right ones. Even for problems that might seem trivial, like coping with loneliness or adjusting to a new part of life in Nova Scotia, 211 is here to help.

5. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF 211 SERVICE?

211 service has many benefits:

Callers can easily and quickly connect to the services they need, anywhere in the province, regardless of where they are located.

211 is easy to remember, reducing confusion, frustration and delay that can come from trying to search for services.

211 has also been proven to reduce congestion on 911 lines.

211 helps identify service gaps, duplication, and emerging trends to help policy decision makers direct the right resources and services to where they are most needed.

6. 211 IS ONE OF SEVERAL THREE DIGIT NUMBERS – HOW DOES IT DIFFER FROM OTHERS?

Starting with the new telephone directories, to be published in April 2013, the first page of the telephone directory will contain a quick reference guide with details on the following services:

211 – Community and social services

311 – Halifax Regional Municipality Government information & services

511 – Provincial road conditions in Nova Scotia

811 – Health information and advice

7. HOW WILL 211 HELP NOVA SCOTIANS USE THE RESOURCES WE HAVE MORE COST EFFECTIVELY ?

There are hundreds of not for profit organizations in Nova Scotia, in addition to scores of government agencies. When individuals go without help because they are unaware of services available to them, our communities waste valuable resources and people fail to get the support they need. With 211, communities can address the diverse needs of their residents and ensure increased coordination among services, identify gaps and overlaps in services by geographic mapping, and track human service usage. By providing a centralized point of information, 211 will help ensure the most efficient use of community resources.

8. WILL OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS SEE BENEFITS FROM 211 AS WELL?

One of the significant value-added elements of 211 is its online database that, for the first time, provides easy-to-access and easy-to-search information on every social service and program in the province. With this new and very powerful tool at their fingertips, Nova Scotia’s many service providers will be able to quickly direct people to services that are outside of their organization’s scope or area of expertise. It will also allow them to discover and connect with other service providers whose goals and mandates complement their own, building stronger community networks.

9. CAN’T PEOPLE JUST LOOK IN THE PHONE BOOK FOR SERVICES?

Telephone books are helpful but they don’t tell the full story. Many organizations provide multiple services and providers are not listed by each service, nor are the services always reflected in the organization’s name. 211 maintains an extensive database of services that includes information on how to access the service. Importantly, 211 specialists can assist callers in ways that a directory of services cannot, by fully understanding their needs and helping them find the appropriate services.

10. WHY A PROVINCE-WIDE 211 SERVICE?

A province-wide 211 service will ensure that all people – regardless of where they live – will have equal access to information. For example, this would allow a resident in Halifax to easily identify home support options for their father in Kentville, or assist an immigrant in finding services once they move from Truro to Sydney.

Both costs and benefits are optimized with a province-wide approach. Furthermore, the overall goal is to eventually have 211 services across Canada. By having a province-wide service, it is much easier to plug into a national network, providing rapid and effective service for all Canadians.

11. WHO IS PAYING FOR THIS AND HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

Nova Scotia Power and Bell Aliant, two of the Provinces largest utilities, have provided startup funding to 211.

Once fully operational in 2014, the operating costs are expected to be approximately $1 million annually. The Province of Nova Scotia has committed to funding 95 per cent of the operating cost of 211 through to 2016. The remaining five per cent of costs are provided by the United Ways in Nova Scotia.

12. HAS IT BEEN DONE BEFORE?

With the launch of 211 service in Nova Scotia, 60 per cent of Canadians, (20,000,000 people) now have access to 211 services. Centers are located throughout Ontario and British Columbia, Edmonton, Calgary, and Quebec City. In the United States, 211 serves over 80 per cent of the population, with 244 active systems in 48 states.

13. HAS ANY RESEARCH BEEN DONE REGARDING THE VALUE OF 211?

Comprehensive research on the costs and benefits of 211 systems has been conducted in both the US and Canada. United Ways in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, British Columbia and Ontario have worked with a number of organizations, including Deloitte, to develop specific business cases and identify the potential of a 211 service. These studies, including one in Nova Scotia, confirm the strength of the 211 business case and the inherent value of the service.

Each of the studies concluded that the measurable benefits of a national 211 system outweigh the costs by a significant margin. Everyone – the public, governments, and service providers – stand to realize substantial benefits from the time and cost savings that 211 can provide.

14. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN SOMEONE SHOULD BE PHONING 911 AND THEY PHONE 211?

The role of the 211 specialist is to talk through situations with people who are not looking for, and do not need, immediate intervention. If it becomes apparent that they do need immediate intervention, the 211 specialist is trained to route the call to 911.

15. HOW DOES 211 DEAL WITH PRIVACY CONCERNS?

All contact to 211, whether by email, online query or phone, is confidential. Information and Referral Specialists do not collect identifying information such as name or address. Although an electronic record is made of each call taken, it is just for statistical purposes and non-identifying. The Information and Referral Specialist will ask for the community in which the caller lives, in order that an appropriate referral can be made.

16. WHY WILL 211 BE AVAILABLE 24/7 IF LOCAL SERVICES ARE CLOSED DURING NON-BUSINESS HOURS?

To be truly accessible, people need to be able to get information at all times of the day, whenever they may need it most. While they may not always be able to link with the services themselves at that hour, they can get the necessary information about the services, its location, contact information and hours to provide solutions and peace of mind. Alternatively, there are also certain community services that are available 24 hours a day that may be applicable to the caller’s need and 211 would assist them in sourcing those promptly.

17. HOW WILL 211 HELP THOSE IN COMMUNITIES WITH FEW SERVICES?

Given the rural nature of much of Nova Scotia, locating services so that they are accessible to everyone is often a challenge. If 211 does not have information on a service within a caller’s community, the Information and Referral Specialistwill help find those services closest to where they live.

Also, 211 collects important information on needs that are not being met either because services are not available or because the demands are greater than can be met by existing services. 211 provides this vital information to planners who are then are able to use it to better understand where the needs are and how service delivery can be improved to meet those needs.

18. WILL 211 BE AVAILABLE TO THE HEARING IMPAIRED?

The services provided by 211 will be accessible to people in the hearing impaired community through an application called Textnet . Hearing impaired persons will access 211 in Nova Scotia through a different toll free number – 1-888-692-1382.

Textnet is an Internet-based service that replaces TTY device technology. It’s a digital, Centrex-like telephone service that seamlessly integrates the telephone network, the local data network and the Internet to provide fully accessible text communications.

19. WHERE CAN A PERSON GET MORE INFORMATION?

To learn more about 211 Nova Scotia, visit the website www.ns.211.ca, call (902)466-5721 or email info@ns.211.ca.

- See more at: http://ns.211.ca/faq#sthash.1Y7vIEw9.dpuf

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Daphne Bramham: Teen prostitute's life is no Pretty Woman story

Witness testifies to harsh life of prostitution

BY DAPHNE BRAMHAM, VANCOUVER SUN COLUMNIST SEPTEMBER 30, 2013

Daphne Bramham: Teen prostitute's life is no Pretty Woman story

Reza Moazami is shown the prisoner’s box in this court drawing.

Photograph by: Felicity Don , THE CANADIAN PRESS

Despite what Reza Moazami had promised, there was no lavish life for the tiny 18-year-old he’d lured into prostitution only days after she was kicked out of a drug rehab centre.

Moazami is charged with 36 counts that include human trafficking, sexual interference, sexual exploitation and living off the avails of prostitution. Because the victims were aged 14 to 18 at the time of his arrest, none can be named.

The young woman is the first of 11 victims expected to testify. The witness — now 22 — testified in detail Monday in B.C. Supreme Court about the hell she’d inhabited under Moazami’s control and, most dramatically, about her final break with him in August 2010.

In a taxi, she went with another girl, who also worked for Moazami, to a secluded spot on English Bay to collect the 50-per-cent share of what she’d earned working for him — an amount she estimates at $20,000 to $30,000.

Moazami was waiting in another taxi. He yelled at them to get in. They refused. Moazami pulled open the door of their taxi and grabbed the witness’s bag of clothing.

He also grabbed a cloth-and-mesh bag containing a long-haired Chihuahua named Gucci. He’d given her the dog because, she said, it fit his vision of a high-end escort as a girl with “a tiny pooch in her purse.”

There was high-pitched squealing as Moazami stepped on the dog in the bag.

“He said, ‘I’ll break this dog’s neck if you don’t get out of the car,’” she testified.

The taxi driver started the car — “he didn’t want any part of this.” The girl told him to drive away.

What was she thinking? prosecutor Damienne Darby asked.

“Truthfully? Holy f---. That could be us.”

This is no Pretty Woman story. This witness told of a troubled childhood, of losing herself to Moazami, being controlled every minute and, in the end, losing respect for both herself and for men, which has led to “conflicted” relationships with her three brothers.

At three, she was adopted into a family riddled with physical and mental abuse. By 13, she was drinking. At 16, she was in foster care and, at 18, an unrepentant addict with nowhere to go and no other goal other than to get high.

A friend who worked for Moazami introduced her to him at the New Amsterdam Café. The next night, the witness met Moazami and his friend at a coffee shop and ended up at the friend’s place where Moazami plied her with GHB, the date rape drug.

Throughout the night, he talked to her about prostitution — “He said it was glamorous … He said it would be wonderful,” she testified.

After five or six caps of GHB, she ended up in the shower. Moazami’s friend stepped in with her; Moazami passed in a condom.

After sex, the 92-pound girl lost consciousness. After she woke up on the floor, Moazami had sex with her. It was after that she agreed to work for him and let him hold all the money, which he promised to split with her.

A few hours later, she was working a bachelor party with another girl at a Coal Harbour hotel. Twelve men watched as the girls “played with each other sexually.”

The bachelor took the other girl to have sex in one bedroom. The bride’s father — a man she described as 50-ish — took the witness to another bedroom.

When it was all over, she held hundred-dollar bills in her hands.

“I felt like it was just the beginning of a world where I could control what was going on and not have parents telling me what to do … That lasted for a while. But I was very high all the time.”

They moved to the Executive Inn on Granville. Then, she moved into a furnished, Beatty Street condo with Moazami. It had “the Harry Potter closet,” a small closet within a closet where Moazami hid when clients came and where he sometimes slept.

Briefly, she had a key to the apartment. Moazami took it away from her and smashed her cellphone after she told him about making a friend in the building. He taunted her, telling her she was nothing but “a common whore.”

She worked seven days a week. Moazami charged $200 for an hour with her; $150 for half an hour.

Three times, she went with him to Calgary; twice during the Stampede. After she partied one night instead of working and returned with only $150 begged from her date, Moazami ripped a cowboy hat in half and smashed her cellphone.

He told her to do $150 specials for the next four hours to make up the money she’d lost. She did it.

Why? Darby asked.

“If someone can so easily rip clothes and break cellphones, what do you think they can do to you? I had to deal with a lot of abuse in my life … I knew what might happen if I said no.”

Moazami’s lawyer Danny Markovitz starts his cross-examination of the witness Tuesday.

dbramham@vancouversun.com

http://www.vancouversun.com/opinion/columnists/Daphne+Bramham+Teen+prostitute+life+Pretty+Woman+story/8979561/story.html

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In the real world.... trying 2 make a living being dirt poor with very little access 2 mental health help, child care, disabilities, aged, jobless and losss of hope and despair

Protecting access to energy for low-income Nova Scotians

CLAIRE MCNEIL

Published September 17, 2014 - 5:17pm

Last Updated September 17, 2014 - 6:53pm

Jason Reid delivers fuel oil to a Halifax home recently. Claire McNeil argues that we need a better way to ensure that low-income families can afford fuel and power in winter without spending their money for food and other essentials.

When I read P.K. Thompson’s recent opinion piece (“Subsidizing low-income energy great way to stoke deficit,” Sept. 9) I was reminded once again how accurate observations about what people do, can lead to totally erroneous conclusions about why they do it.

Mr. Thompson clearly has expertise and specialized knowledge in the energy field. But his conclusions about poor people and public policies that impact their lives expose some hasty assumptions and unfortunately appear to perpetuate negative and false stereotypes about those living in poverty as wasteful, ignorant and cradled by a social safety net that protects them from the consequences of their bad decisions.

This is a very far cry from the truth.

A couple of reality checks:

First, Mr. Thompson assumes that social assistance pays for the actual heating and electricity costs of people in need. This is wrong. The N.S. social assistance scheme provides a capped “shelter allowance” that includes rent, utilities, and heat, and if these costs exceed the regulatory maximum (shelter rates lag far behind inflation and the real cost of housing), the recipient must find the money elsewhere. The vast majority of poor families make up the difference by using their food allowance to keep the lights or heat going, often described as the “heat or eat” dilemma.

Mr. Thompson also assumes that social assistance provides additional “emergency assistance” for people whose costs exceed their monthly cheque. This is not accurate. Emergency heating assistance is restricted to qualified recipients who have no heat, and is limited to the minimum amount required. In most cases, the government treats any payment as a loan, and subsequently claws back this payment by deducting dollar for dollar the same amount from a recipients’ monthly cheque, leaving them even less money in subsequent months to pay electricity bills that are already unaffordable. These government policies drive recipients deeper into the hole, rather than lifting them out. It doesn’t lead to government subsidies of wasteful practices, contrary to Mr. Thompson’s assumptions.

So what is the answer to energy poverty? One of the key dilemmas that face us in Nova Scotia is the high cost of power, and a consensus has been reached that reducing usage and cost through energy efficiency is vital to the long-term sustainability of the system. This is especially true for low-income households, as Mr. Thompson argues.

Investment in energy efficiency in low-income households contributes to housing affordability and leads to better health and educational outcomes and a healthier environment. Almost 5,000 low-income homeowners already save about $500 a year in fuel costs because of recent efficiency investments and the Affordable Energy Coalition is working with Efficiency N.S. to include low-income tenants, as well.

Making energy efficiency measures accessible to low-income households is a significant first step, but the introduction of a Universal Service Program (USP) in Nova Scotia would make good on the historic promise by government to protect access to electricity for all –- the USP (they operate in more than half of U.S. jurisdictions) does this in four ways: by implementing low-income energy efficiency measures, providing crisis relief, managing arrears and by providing rate credits where necessary to ensure that electricity bills in a poor household are affordable. It avoids the social costs and human misery that result when people can’t heat their homes or keep the lights on; children apprehended from their families, seniors admitted to hospital, families forced into temporary shelters. In the U.S., the USP is funded through utility rates, freeing up government tax revenues for other social services. Another option would be to reallocate current energy assistance funding (such as the “Your Energy Rebate Program”) to a USP reserved for income-eligible households.

The Affordable Energy Coalition in Nova Scotia has presented expert evidence concerning the need for a USP to the Utility and Review Board and Nova Scotia Power since 2005, but successive provincial governments have yet to get on board. Nova Scotia’s current Electricity Review must consider this option.

Evaluations of USPs in the U.S. show that Mr. Thompson’s fear that a USP will encourage more energy waste have proved false. USPs allow participants to control their energy usage, benefit directly from energy conservation and give people the knowledge and tools they need to achieve both of these.

Mr. Thompson’s observations concerning the need for better regulation and enforcement of energy efficiency standards in rental housing is timely. His view that government should put the responsibility for establishing energy-efficient homes on investment property owners makes sense. But implicating the poor for current failures in government policy is off the mark, and overlooks the potential for creating greater equality, stronger economic growth and reducing energy use through a Universal Service Program.

Claire McNeil is a member of the Affordable Energy Coalition, an organization dedicated to ensuring the universal access to energy services.

http://thechronicleherald.ca/opinion/1237137-protecting-access-to-energy-for-low-income-nova-scotians

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NOVA SCOTIA

Income Assistance (IA)

The Income Assistance (IA) program provides people in financial need with assistance with basic needs such as food, rent, utilities like heat and electricity, and clothing. The program may also help you with other needs such as child care, transportation, prescription drugs, emergency dental care, and eye glasses.

(In some places, programs that help people with basic requirements are called "social assistance", "income support" or "welfare".)

Once you receive Income Assistance, you may be able to take part in one of our many Employment Support Services (ESS) programs, which help people become more self-sufficient.

Eligibility

You may be eligible for income assistance if you

live in Nova Scotia

are 19 years of age or older

(You also may be eligible under special circumstances if you are 16 to 18 years of age.)

are in financial need

(Your monthly income is less than the amount the ESIA Program allows for basic expenses such as food, rent or mortgage, clothing, taxes and utilities like heat and electricity.)

Read more about who can receive Income Assistance.

Next steps

Read our detailed steps about how to apply for Income Assistance, including information on who to contact, what information you need to apply, and how you will receive your money.

Income Assistance programs and other information

How to Apply for Income Assistance

Call or visit us to get started with your application.

Who Can Receive Income Assistance?

You have the right to apply for Income Assistance if you live in Nova Scotia and you are 19 or over.

Basic Income Assistance Rates

The amount you can expect to receive to cover the the cost of your basic needs.

Supports Beyond Basic Assistance

Income Assistance can help with special needs beyond the basics.

Money From Other Sources

The program treats money you receive differently depending on why you got it and where it comes from.

Benefits For Children

The federal and provincial governments both pay a benefit for children under the age of 18 to low-income families.

Medical Costs

This program provides assistance with a variety of special needs.

Prescription Drug Coverage (Pharmacare)

Drug coverage available to recipients of Income Assistance and others who qualify.

Career Seek: Help to Attend Post-secondary Programs

This program allows eligible Income Assistance recipients to receive benefits while they attend university or a post-secondary education program.

How Going to School Affects Income Assistance

Make sure that you speak to your worker about your continuing eligibility for Income Assistance.

How Having a Job Affects Income Assistance

There are a number of ways Income Assistance program may continue to help you.

School Supplies for Families with Children

You can use the money to buy anything your child must have for school.

Harvest Connection Program

This program allows eligible recipients to keep up to $3,000 of income earned from working in seasonal harvesting.

How to Appeal a Decision About Your Income Assistance

You may appeal any decision related to your application or the amount of your assistance.

Appeal Hearings

If you have appealed an ESIA decision, and you are unhappy with the results of the Administrative Review, you can request an appeal hearing.

Employment Support and Income Assistance (ESIA) Policy Manual

This manual contains all of the policies that your worker uses when making decisions.

Related information

Learn how to have cheques deposited directly into your bank account

Poverty Reduction Credit

Affordable Living Tax Credit and Poverty Reduction Credit

Heating Assistance Rebate Program (offered through Service NS)

Employment Support and Income Assistance Handbook (PDF)

Employment Services

Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP)

Help with preparing income tax and benefit returns.

Employment Support and Income Assistance Act

Employment Support and Income Assistance Regulations

Social Assistance Act

http://novascotia.ca/coms/employment/income_assistance/

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Nova Scotia

Helpful Websites and Phone Numbers

Most resources at the Department of Community Services can be accessed through your local Community Services office or by calling head office. You can also call us toll free at 1-877-424-1177.

The following resources can help you get in touch with the right people for many common tasks.

To replace lost cards

Social Insurance Card

call 1-800-206-7218 toll free

Health Card

call MSI at 496-7008 or 1-800-563-8880 toll free

Birth or Death or Marriage Certificates

call Vital Statistics 424-4381 or 1-877-848-2578 toll free

For support services

Pharmacare

Seniors call 429-6565 or 1-800-544-6191 toll fre

ESIA - contact your Caseworker

Canada Pension Plan Disability

call 1-800-277-9914 toll free

TTY users call 1-800-255-4786

website

Old Age Security

call1-800-277-9914 toll free

Employment Insurance or EI

call 1- 800-206-7218 toll free

Canada Revenue Agency

call 1-800- 959-8281 toll free

Canada Child Tax Benefit

call 1-800- 387-1193 toll free

Student Assistance Loans program

call 424-8420 or 1-800-565-8420 toll free

TTY users call 424-2058

website

http://novascotia.ca/coms/employment/Helpful.html

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

Canadian Social Research Links

Nova Scotia

Sites de recherche sociale au Canada

Nouvelle-Écosse

Updated April 4, 2014

Page révisée le 4 avril 2014

Nova Scotia

Nouvelle-Écosse

Updated April 4, 2014
Page révisée le 4 avril 2014

[ Go to Canadian Social Research Links Home Page ]

Jump directly further down on the page you're now reading:

* Key Welfare Links in NS (scroll down to the grey box below, right column)
* Latest NS Budget - April 3, 2014 (See "NEW" below)
* Poverty reduction in NS
* Non-governmental sites in NS

Minimum Wage:

Current and Forthcoming Minimum Hourly Wage Rates for Adult Workers in Canada
- federal govt. site --- the best resource for info on current and upcoming minimum wage levels
Source : Minimum Wage Database

Nova Scotia's 2014-15 Budget Lays Foundation for Work Ahead
http://novascotia.ca/news/smr/2014-04-03-Budget-2014/
News Release
April 3, 2014
Finance and Treasury Board Minister Diana Whalen tabled the 2014-15 provincial budget, clearing the way for private sector growth and reinvestment in education and health care. The 2014-15 budget projects a deficit of $279 million.

Budget documents 2014-2015
http://www.novascotia.ca/finance/en/home/budget/budgetdocuments/2014-2016.aspx
- includes links to the following documents:

* Budget Address (PDF - 60K, 18 pages)
http://www.novascotia.ca/finance/site-finance/media/finance/budget2014/Budget_Address.pdf

* Budget Assumptions and Schedules (PDF - 7.2MB, 82 pages)
http://www.novascotia.ca/finance/site-finance/media/finance/budget2014/Budget_Assumptions_And_Schedules.pdf

2014-2015 Budget Highlights
http://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20140403002

Budget at a Glance
http://novascotia.ca/budget/

Source:
Department of Finance and Treasury Board
http://www.novascotia.ca/finance/

---

From the
Chronicle-Herald:
http://thechronicleherald.ca/

Liberals stick to playbook with first $9.9-billion budget
http://thechronicleherald.ca/novascotia/1197844-liberals-stick-to-playbook-with-first-99-billion-budget
By Michael Gorman
April 3, 2014
Finance Minister Diana Whalen said earlier this week that the provincial budget would contain few surprises and she lived up to that promise Thursday. Whalen introduced a $9.9-billion budget with a $279-million deficit. The document contains a collection of announcements from the Liberals’ election campaign platform, as well as some new initiatives, with about $80 million in new spending. Department spending increased overall by 5.4 per cent, or $455 million. The net debt is estimated to be $14.6 billion as of March 31. It’s projected to top $15 billion in the next fiscal year.

Budget Highlights
http://thechronicleherald.ca/novascotia/1197855-nova-scotia-budget-highlights

More coverage of NS Budget 2015
from the Chronicle-Herald:
http://thechronicleherald.ca/tags/ns-budget-2014
[Click the link above to access any of the content below.]
* Budget’s lack of tax relief slammed by business groups
* Taxpayers may doubt Grits’ vow of balanced budget
* Whalen budget a sober start
* Diana Whalen : In her own words
* Political band has changed, but song...
* Liberals axe graduate tax rebate
* Grits pump up home-care funds
* N.S. budget features cash for class-size caps...
* Blog Replay : Nova Scotia budget

---

- Go to the 2014 Canadian Government Budgets Links page:
http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/budgets_2014.htm

2013 Report Cards on Child and Family Poverty- November 26
(From Campaign 2000)

Campaign 2000 and Its Regional Partners Release
New 2013 Report Cards on Child and Family Poverty
http://www.campaign2000.ca/
November 26, 2013
Campaign 2000’s annual Report Card on Child and Family Poverty in Canada was released on Tuesday, November 26th in Ottawa. This year marks 24 years since the unanimous House of Commons’ resolution to end child poverty in Canada by 2000 and four years after the entire House of Commons voted “to develop an immediate plan to end poverty for all in Canada.”

National report card:

The 2013 national report card, entitled Canada’s REAL Economic Action Plan Begins with Poverty Eradication, highlights the compelling reasons why the federal government needs to take leadership. It presents the latest statistics on child and family poverty and makes recommendations for all political parties. Federal party leaders have been invited to respond to the report card.

Canada’s REAL Economic Action Plan Begins with Poverty Eradication:
2013 Report card on Child and Familkiuy Poverty in Canada (PDF - 3MB, 22 pages)
http://www.campaign2000.ca/reportCards/national/2013C2000NATIONALREPORTCARDNOV26.pdf
[ Version française:
http://www.campaign2000.ca/reportCards/national/2013NationalReportCardNov26French.pdf ]

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

Provincial report cards:

On the same day as the national report card was released, several of Campaign 2000 regional partner organizations released their provincial report cards on child and family poverty as well, including:
* Vancouver, BC
* Edmonton, Alberta
* Calgary, Alberta
* Toronto, Ontario
* Saint John, New Brunswick
* Halifax, Nova Scotia (see link below)

---

Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia Report Card on Child and Family Poverty, 2013
1989-2011 (PDF - 638K, 26 pages)
http://www.policyalternatives.ca/sites/default/files/uploads/publications/Nova%20Scotia%20Office/2013/11/2013_NS_Child_Poverty_Report_Card.pdf
By Dr. Lesley Frank
November 2013
(...) Another concern with producing this report card is the erosion of data quality. Year after year, there is less and less to report, particularly for small provinces like Nova Scotia. Reporting the child poverty rates is still possible with available statistics; however statistics for sub-populations which we know experience higher rates of child poverty are increasingly non-existent due to reduced sampling. Changes made by the federal government to the long form census will further erode our ability to track child poverty.
Source:
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives | Nova Scotia
http://www.policyalternatives.ca/offices/nova-scotia

---

NOTE : For links to the reports on child poverty from Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Toronto and Saint John (NB),
go to : http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/chnngo.htm#2013_report_card_child_poverty

---

Join us and take e-action to send a message to our Prime Minister and all the federal party leaders today.
Click here to send a letter : http://www.makepovertyhistory.ca/act/where-s-our-federal-poverty-eradication-plan

---

Related online resource:

A history of inaction (PDF infographic [English and French] - 19.7MB, 2 pages)
http://www.campaign2000.ca/reportCards/national/2013C2000INFOGRAPHIC_FULL%20COLOUR.pdf
- incl. timelines and potential outcomes
[HUMONGOUS FILE ALERT!]

Source:
Campaign 2000
http://www.campaign2000.ca/
Campaign 2000 is a non-partisan, cross-Canada coalition of more than 120 national, provincial and community organizations committed to working together to end child and family poverty in Canada, over 70 of which are from Ontario.

Nova Scotia election sees Liberals take majority
http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/10/08/nova-scotia-liberals-projected-to-take-majority-in-nova-scotia-election/
By Melanie Patten
October 8, 2013
HALIFAX — Voters in Nova Scotia dumped the NDP on Tuesday after giving Darrell Dexter a historic election victory four years ago, turning this time to Liberal Stephen McNeil, who swept to power on promises to bring soaring electricity rates under control while putting an end to corporate handouts.

Source:
National Post
http://www.nationalpost.com/

---

From Elections Nova Scotia:

39th Provincial General Election 2013 Initial Results (clickable map)
http://results.electionsnovascotia.ca/

Summary of election results by party
http://results.electionsnovascotia.ca/Summary.aspx

Registered Parties:

Green Party of Nova Scotia
http://www.greenparty.ns.ca/

Nova Scotia New Democratic Party
http://www.ns.ndp.ca/

Progressive Conservative Association of Nova Scotia
http://www.pcparty.ns.ca /

Nova Scotia Liberal Party
http://www.liberal.ns.ca/

*** Liberal Party Platform:
HTML version : http://www.liberal.ns.ca/platform/
PDF version (600K, 30 pages) : https://www.liberal.ns.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/2013-Liberal-Platform.pdf
[SPOILER : the word "poverty" appears exactly zero times in the Liberal Platform.]

---

From the CBC:

Stephen McNeil leads Liberals to majority in Nova Scotia
Progressive Conservatives form Official Opposition while New Democrats trail in 3rd
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nsvotes2013/stephen-mcneil-leads-liberals-to-majority-in-nova-scotia-1.1929962
October 8, 2013
- includes links (in the right and left margins) to a dozen related articles

More media coverage of the
2013 Nova Scotia Provincial Election
https://www.google.ca/#q=nova+scotia+election&tbm=nws

Hotlinks
The links below will take you directly to the following
Nova Scotia government and non-governmental web pages:

Nova Scotia
Provincial Election Resources
No set date for the next provincial election
Source:
Election Almanac
- complete coverage of federal, provincial and territorial elections in Canada including election results, public opinion polls, ridings and candidates, election news, electoral history, links, and more

- Go to the Political Parties and Elections Links in Canada (Provinces and Territories) page:http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/politics_prov_terr.htm

Key welfare links

Department responsible for welfare
Community Services

Name of the welfare program
Employment Support and Income Assistance

Legislation
Employment Support and Income Assistance Act
- Employment Support and Income Assistance Regulations ===> main welfare regulations
- Assistance Appeal Regulations
Source:
- Consolidated Public Statutes of Nova Scotia
- Nova Scotia Regulations

Policy Manual
Employment Support and Income Assistance Policy
- incl. links to the latest version of the manual and to revision logs (showing recent changes)

Welfare statistics
Number of People on Welfare, March 1995 to March 2005 (PDF file - 133K, 1 page)
Source: National Council of Welfare

Welfare rates (benefits)
A Description of Basic Assistance
Or
Appendix "A" of the Regulations

Latest search results on Google.ca for
"welfare, -child, -animal, Nova Scotia"
- Web search results
- News search results
- Blog search results

Related links
* Nova Scotia Department of Community Services Recent reports:
--- Dept of Community Services Statement of Mandate 2012-2013 (PDF - 620K, 16 pages)
--- Dept of Community Services Annual Accountability Report Fiscal Year 2011-2012 (PDF - 1.4MB, 26 pages)
--- Dept of Community Services Statement of Mandate 2011-2012 (PDF - 312K, 18 pages)
* The Cost of Poverty in Nova Scotia (PDF - 760K, 12 pages)
October 2010 (Source: CCPA Nova Scotia Office )
* Fast Facts: The Cost of Poverty in Nova Scotia (PDF - 400K, 2 pages) October 2010 (also from CCPA)
* Nova Scotia Poverty Reduction Strategy - April 2009
* Nova Scotia’s Poverty Reduction Strategy: Preventing Poverty, Promoting Prosperity (PDF - 1.4MB, 45 pages) - April 2009
* Report of the Nova Scotia Poverty Reduction Working Group (PDF - 129K, 41 pages) - June 26, 2008
* Government Seeks Public Input on Poverty Strategy - March 5, 2008
* Poverty Backgrounder (2008) - Research and statistics about poverty in Nova Scotia
* Department of Community Services Annual Accountability Report 2007-2008 (PDF - 229K, 40 pages)
Reporting of outcomes against Community Services’ business plan information for the fiscal year 2007-2008.
* Department of Community Services Business Plan 2007 - 2008 (PDF - 262K, 25 pages)
Source: Department of Community Services Publications, Policies & Reports<===contains links to dozens of earlier reports, plans, strategies, etc.
* Report to the Community 2007 (PDF file - 415K, 2 pages) - May 18/07
* IMPACT! The effect of Nova Scotia's new income assistance system on people who need assistance (PDF file - 155K, 23 pages) November 2003 (from the Nova Scotia Association of Social Workers )

For more information about welfare in other Canadian jurisdictions,
see the Canadian Social Research Links Key Provincial/Territorial Welfare Links page

Nova Scotia Poverty Reduction Strategy
NOTE: this link takes you to the NS section of the
Anti-poverty Strategies and Campaigns page of this site:
http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/antipoverty.htm

Since May 2010, ALL links to content concerning poverty reduction strategies and campaigns have been moved to the above page from the individual provincial/territorial pages, including government and NGO links.

Government Departments

Nova Scotia Government Home Page

Government News Releases
Government Sites Index
Directory of Government Employees
Nova Scotia Legislature
Consolidated Public Statutes of Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia Regulations

Office of Policy and Priorities

Addressing Nova Scotia's Fiscal Challenge
A report prepared by the Nova Scotia Economic Advisory Panel (PDF - 1.2MB, 95 pages)
November 2009
Table of contents:
* Assessing the Fiscal Challenges Facing the New Government - by Tim O’Neill
* Delivering on “Making Life More Affordable for Nova Scotia Families”—an Economic Perspective - by Lars Osberg
* Reviewing the Expenditure Budget: Lessons Learned - by Donald J. Savoie
* Shaping a Path for Growth and Prosperity in Nova Scotia - by Elizabeth Beale

Executive summary (PDF - 213K, 12 pages)

Source:
Office of Policy and Priorities
[ Government of Nova Scotia ]

Related link:

The Community Foundation of Nova Scotia
http://www.cfns.ca/
The Community Foundation of Nova Scotia is a member of Community Foundations of Canada [ http://www.cfns.ca/ ], which represents a network of 170+ community foundations nationally, and who together hold more than $3 billion in assets. In 2010, community foundations distributed $149.5 million to communities across Canada.

2011 Report Card on Child and Family Poverty in Nova Scotia: 1989-2009 (PDF - 690K, 11 pages)
November 2011
Clearly, the goal was not achieved; in fact, in 2000 the child poverty rate in Nova Scotia was higher than in 1989, the year the promise was made. Did nine additional years bring us any closer to the goal? While child poverty rates did show a steady decline after 2003, our most recent figures (regardless of the poverty measured used) now show a reversal of this trend. With 14,000 children living below the After-Tax Low-Income Cut Off (LICO-AT) in 2009, progress has stalled and we are far from realizing child poverty eradication.

Source:
Nova Scotia Office of the
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives

Related link
from Campaign 2000:

Revisiting Family Security in Insecure Times:
2011 Report Card on Child and Family Poverty in Canada (PDF - 2.8MB, 16 pages)
[The national report]
November 2011
All we are asking is to give children a chance. Campaign 2000 is looking for a real commitment from this Parliament to reduce poverty by at least 50% by the year 2020, creating a pathway to eventual eradication. The federal government, in our view, must play a lead role.
Source:
Campaign 2000
Campaign 2000 is a non-partisan, cross-Canada coalition of over 120 national, provincial and community organizations, committed to working together to end child and family poverty in Canada.

NOTE: If you wish to see 2011 child and family poverty reports for all participating Canadian provinces on one page (+ links to last year's reports), go to the Children, Families and Youth Links (NGO) page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/chnngo.htm

From Food Banks Canada:

Hunger Count 2013
A comprehensive report on hunger and food bank use in Canada, and recommendations for change

Selected HungerCount Information 1999-2011 (Microsoft Excel 2007 file - 626K)

Chart : Food bank use in Canada (March 2011)
Food Banks Canada has released data detailing how many Canadians used food banks across the country in March 2011. Hover over the chart to read how many people used food banks in each province that month, and what percentage of those people were children.

Source:
Food Banks Canada
Food Banks Canada is the national charitable organization representing and supporting the food bank community across Canada. Our Members and their respective agencies serve approximately 85% of people accessing food banks and food programs nationwide. Our mission is to help food banks meet the short-term need for food, and to find long-term solutions to hunger.

---

Media coverage:

Food bank use stays high
November 1, 2011
Food bank use across Canada remained more than 25 per cent above pre-recession levels in March, the group representing food banks said Tuesday. Food Banks Canada said an annual survey of its members showed a slight decrease in the number of food recipients from the same month a year earlier — two per cent to 851,014 — but little change over all. The steady numbers show the effects of recession are still being felt across Canada, and the organization says that means economic recovery isn't working for everyone.
Source:
CBC News

---

Stretched food banks a measure of Canada’s frail recovery
By Tavia Grant
November 1, 2011
The number of Canadians using food banks has declined slightly, but persistent demand indicates many are struggling in a frail economic recovery. More than 851,000 individuals visited a food bank in March alone, a number that’s little changed from last year’s record and still 26 per cent above prerecession levels, Food Banks Canada’s annual survey, to be released Tuesday, shows.

[ 397 comments ]

Related link:

Community Foundations of Canada
We are the Canadian movement for community vitality, representing 174 Community Foundations across the country. Together, we help Canadians invest in building strong and resilient places to live, work and play.

Nova Scotia Report Card on Child and Family Poverty 2009 (PDF - 214K, 23 pages)
November 2009
While Nova Scotia remains within the group of provinces with lower rates of child poverty, policymakers and elected representatives (those with the power to legislate the end of poverty) must act quickly and decisively to expand the progress achieved in recent years. Specific, targeted policies are needed to ensure that poverty rates and gaps are The Nova Scotia Child Poverty Report Card 2009 Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives–Nova Scotia 18 reduced for particular groups where there is greater risk of children and their families being exposed to poverty and the potential harm it carries. Most notably, income assistance rates need to be increased to a level that will provide families with children, who depend on welfare income, an annual income that will raise families out of poverty.

Source:
Campaign 2000

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

Province of Nova Scotia Financial Review
Interim Report
7 August 2009
The people of Nova Scotia elected a new Government on 9th June 2009, and the newly appointed Executive Council was sworn in on 19th June, 2009. During the election campaign the new Government committed to an immediate review of the Province.s finances upon entering office. Deloitte & Touche LLP has been contracted to assist the new Government of Nova Scotia with an independent review and analysis of the Province of Nova Scotia.s current and future financial position.
Source:
Deloitte & Touche LLP

Cost and Affordability of a Nutritious Diet in Nova Scotia:
Report of 2007 Food Costing (PDF - 1.3MB, 28 pages)
A project of the Nova Scotia Food Security Networking partnership with community partners,
the Department of Health Promotion and Protection, and Mount Saint Vincent University
Released April 2008

"(...) The reasons for concern about income-related food insecurity can be understood when we examine the following statistics:
• 14.6% of Nova Scotians households (approximately 132,400 households) reported either moderate or severe income-related food insecurity in 2004. Nova Scotia is the only province with significantly higher levels than the national
average (9.2%).
• Although Nova Scotia has seen modest increases in minimum wage and Income Assistance rates in the past couple of years, these rates have consistently been shown to be inadequate to allow individuals and families to meet their basic needs.
• 18,417 Nova Scotia citizens accessed a food bank in March 2007.5 Research shows this represents only 1/4 to 1/3 of those experiencing food insecurity."

[ More reports and publications
about food security and food costing ]

Source:
Nova Scotia Food Security Network

- Go to the Food Banks and Hunger Links page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/foodbkmrk.htm

Homeless in Halifax: New report card
March 24, 2009
By Michael Shapcott
A total of 1,252 people stayed in homeless shelters in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 2008, according to the first-ever Halifax Report Card on Homelessness 2009, which was released today. The report, prepared by Community Action on Homelessness, provides a grim accounting of the poor health and terrible conditions facing people who are homeless in a community that is, for many Canadians, a picturesque port city on Canada's eastern coast. The report documents the meagre investments in affordable homes by federal and Nova Scotia governments, and sets out a series of practical and pragmatic actions to end homelessness in Halifax.
Source:
Wellesley Institute Blog:
[ Wellesley Institute ]

Related link:

Poverty issue still percolating
Editorial
September 8, 2008
The latest report from GPI Atlantic on poverty in the region reaches back 21?2 millennia to quote Aristotle’s observation that “revolutions arise from inequalities.” That’s followed with a more contemporary reference to 2005 riots in France, “a poignant reminder of the potential consequences of marginalizing the poorest households.”
Source:
The Cape Breton Post

Economic Security in Nova Scotia (PDF - 1.7MB, 66 pages)
July 16, 2008
The report uses an aggregate index, based on security from the economic risks imposed by four key factors – unemployment, illness, old age, and single parenthood – to examine trends in economic security in Nova Scotia from 1981 to 2007. It concludes that economic security in Nova Scotia decreased during the 1981-2007 period.
Source:
Centre for the Study of Living Standards (CSLS)

Other CSLS reports - 50+ links to reports going back to 1997

Cost and Affordability of a Nutritious Diet in Nova Scotia:
Report of 2007 Food Costing (PDF - 1.3MB, 28 pages)
Released April/2008
A project of the Nova Scotia Food Security Network in partnership with community partners, the Department of Health Promotion and Protection, and Mount Saint Vincent University

Related link:

Rising food costs hitting home
Already many in Nova Scotia can’t afford to eat properly
June 11, 2008
"(...) The 2007 food costing research found that many households in our province, especially families who are getting by on low-wage incomes or social assistance, simply cannot afford to fill their cupboards and refrigerators with healthy foods.
(...) A woman raising two children on a minimum wage paycheque is at especially high risk for food insecurity, according to the project’s 2007 findings released this spring. Every month, after all the expenses of shelter, utilities, transportation, clothing and food are factored in, this young mother would be in a deficit of $8.31. She’d be even worse off when her little girl turned six and she no longer received the Universal Child Care Benefit of $100 a month. If that same woman were on welfare, she would have $127.96 a month to spend on "extras," but only if she were receiving additional financial assistance to go to school or look for work. Without that extra money, she would be even further behind...."
Source:
Halifax Chronicle-Herald

COMMENT : The Welfare Wall
[By Gilles]
The preceding paragraph comparing the financial situation of a woman with two kids on welfare vs minimum wage income is a good illustration of what is called "the welfare wall" in welfare reform parlance. All Canadian welfare programs offer some types of non-cash assistance assistance to their clients, such as coverage for prescription drugs, dental and vision care - although these types of aid are generally limited by restrictive terms and conditions (e.g., some provinces require an employable person to be in receipt of welfare for a specified time period before they qualify for non-emergency dental care).

In the above example, the household on welfare would have just under $130/month left after paying for shelter, utilities, transportation, clothing and food. If the head of that household gets a full-time job at minimum wage (which is not likely, since most minimum wage earners don't work for the full year), the family would be $8 in the hole each month --- hardly an incentive for someone to make the leap to the workforce. Recognizing this, several jurisdictions offer special work-related allowances for such things as transportation and work-appropriate clothing to encourage people to join or rejoin the labour force, and many also offer extended coverage for some non-cash health-related benefits. Note that these are not new options in the ongoing efforts to reform Canadian welfare programs --- the Canada Assistance Plan (federal legislation that enabled federal contributions to provincial welfare costs) shared in the cost of these incentives from 1966-67 until it was replaced in 1996 by the Canada Health and Social Transfer.

Child poverty in Nova Scotia: The facts (PDF file - 370K, 9 pages)
November 24, 2007
By Pauline Raven, Lesley Frank and Renee Ross

Related link:

Campaign 2000 Report on Child and Family Poverty in Canada
Main page - includes links to both the French and English media releases and reports, as well as links to national report cards for previous years and for selected Canadian provinces.
[ Campaign 2000 ]

How to reduce poverty? Begin by knocking down barriers
By Katherine Reed
Letters/Opinion
September 26, 2007
It won’t be difficult to identify the causes of poverty in this province and to lay out strategies for dealing with them. Just ask a few poor people what would turn their economic fortunes around. You’ll probably come away with a list like this: a higher minimum wage, more affordable housing, a better welfare system, reforms to the Employment Insurance system so that most (instead of less than half) of the unemployed can get benefits, a provincewide affordable and accessible public transportation system, affordable post-secondary education, affordable child care, and sustainable rural economic development.
Source:
The ChronicleHerald.ca - Halifax

Council of Atlantic Premiers
This web site provides information on:
* the Council of Atlantic Premiers (CAP),
* the Council of Maritime Premiers (CMP), and
* the Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers (NEG/ECP)
The website also provides convenient online access to Council publications, employee contact information, and to regional agencies and organizations as well as providing information on Working Together for Atlantic Canada: An Action Plan for Regional Co-operation (PDF- 492k, November 8, 2001).

Nova Scotia Public Interest Research Group (NSPIRG)
NSPIRG is a non-profit, non-partisan social and environmental justice research and resource centre. Our mandate is to empower, educate, and inspire action on social justice and environmental issues at Dalhousie University, as well as in the broader Halifax community and Nova Scotia generally. We are a student and volunteer-driven organization working within an anti-oppression framework, and providing a range of events, opportunities, working groups, and campaigns to community members.
- incl. links to: Home - About Us - Events Calendar - Working Groups - Library - Funding - Links - Media - Contact Us - Advanced Search - Single Mothers' Survival Guide

Single Mothers’ Survival Guide - (Nova Scotia focus)
2006
In 1989, single mom and activist Brenda Thompson, published the first Single Mothers’ Survival Guide. The guide recognized the economic, social, and political hardships experienced by single mothers and offered specific and practical information on how to cope when living in poverty in the metro-Halifax area. This is the online version of the fifth edition of the book.

- incl. links to : Introduction - Single Mothers and Poverty Laws in NS - Social Assistance - Attitudes Towards "Welfare" Mothers - Legal Aid - Maintenance and Child Support - Children's Aid and Child "Welfare" - Employment - Education - Daycare - Housing - Transition Houses - Food and Food Banks - Sex Lives of Single Moms! - How To Become Politcally Active - Single Mothers Speak - Numbers to Know in Nova Scotia

Workfare program fails women: report
May 25, 2006
"Provincial rules designed to get people off welfare and into the workforce are not working, according to a new study.The research project was done on behalf of women's centres in Antigonish, Sydney and Pictou County. The report, Struggling to Survive, was released Wednesday.Co-ordinator Rene Ross travelled to 11 communities last summer and spoke with 91 women who were on or had been on the Employment Support and Income Assistance (ESIA) program. (...) The report makes several recommendations, including abolishing the parental leave policy, raising the allowance rates by $75 a month, and letting women keep a greater share of their earnings."
Source:
CBC News Nova Scotia

CANADA: True Patriot Love Foundation launches Highway of Heroes concert tour

Monday, September 22, 2014

OECD warns poverty among seniors rising in Canada, points to ...

Old Age Security pension and benefits - Monthly payment amounts and maximum annual income - July to September 2014

CANADA’S RETIREMENT INCOME SYSTEM HAS THREE LEVELS:

OLD AGE SECURITY

SUMMARY OF OAS RATES AND BENEFITS

CANADA PENSION PLAN

SUMMARY OF CPP RATES AND BENEFITS

Elderly Poverty

Key Messages

Putting elderly poverty in context

10. It's hard to measure

9. It varies widely between different groups

8. Child poverty is high in Canada

7. It's a significant burden on the economy

6. Many Canadians spend too much on shelter

5. Poverty can shorten your life

4. Many don't have enough to eat

3. Homelessness is widespread

2. Debt levels are on the rise

1. Early investment can yield big dividends

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