News Release Archive
NEWS RELEASE (CNS801) -->> COMMUNITY SERVICES--MINISTER RESPONDS TO SOCIAL WORKERS COMMUNITY SERVICES--MINISTER RESPONDS TO SOCIAL WORKERS ----------------------------------------------------------------- Community Services Minister John MacEachern welcomes the interest of the Nova Scotia Association of Social Workers in bringing change and greater equity to Nova Scotia's social welfare system, but suggests that it might want to do something more than merely monitoring the situation. The minister was commenting on recent statements by the association regarding his department's new direction enabling it to meet increasing demands while staying within its budget. Mr. MacEachern said, "Most Nova Scotians, and certainly those who are living on a very low income, are aware of the importance of ensuring that resources are provided first and foremost to those in greatest need. That's why Nova Scotia has been one of the few jurisdictions in Canada to maintain the level of provincial social assistance, indeed, in Halifax, we were able to increase the benefits paid to families with children." "The Association of Social Workers has correctly identified that one of the biggest factors is the need to review and update our social assistance system due to the dramatic changes in federal funding for a variety of programs." he said. "It's quite obvious that the province cannot replace federal programs, and deliver them in the same way, without redirecting resources from some other, and perhaps greater, need. Therefore, we are starting now to identify the crucial objectives, and determine the ways in which we can continue to meet those objectives." "It's easy to criticize, but I would hope, and in fact, I will count on the Association of Social Workers providing creative suggestions to government as we try to ensure that our most vulnerable citizens are protected from economic and social changes," said Mr. MacEachern. -30- Contact: Donna McCready 902-424-4326 trp Nov. 15, 1996 - 2:45 p.m.