Progress to Date
To date the Provincial Government has committed over $100 million on an
ongoing annual basis to prevent, reduce and alleviate poverty. Over the past two
years, sixty Poverty Reduction Strategy initiatives have been put in place.
Many of the initiatives will take some time to show their full benefit,
particularly those of a preventative nature. Progress is being made and a
positive impact is being felt. Next year’s report on the Poverty Reduction
Strategy will outline our progress in detail. An example of progress includes a
significant decresase of people on Income Support. There has been a decrease in
the number of people on Income Support because more people are working. Since
2005 the Income Support case load has gone down by approximately 3,000 cases.
This change is due, in part, to a package of new Poverty Reduction Strategy
initiatives including the Job Start Benefit for people on Income Support,
increases in earnings exemptions for Income Support clients who work and the
introduction of prescription drug coverage for individuals with low income who
work. Other successful Poverty Reduction Strategy initiatives include:
- Since July 2007, adults with disabilities who live with family receive
the same board and lodging supplement (up to $362 per month) as those
living with non-relatives. As of June 2008, 1,320 people have benefited.
- The Kids Eat Smart Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador is a
registered charity that supports breakfast, snack and lunch programs for
school children. As of June 2008, 183 Kids Eat Smart programs throughout the
province helped18,455 children.
- In Budget 2006, Income Support rates were increased by 5 per cent. Rates were indexed so they increase automatically based on the Consumer Price
Index with an April 2007 increase of 1.8 per cent and an April 2008 increase
of 1.5 per cent.
The Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program was expanded to
include 2 additional plans:
- Access Plan: which covers working individuals and famlies with low
income.
- Assurance Plan: which covers individuals and families with high
prescription drug costs relative to their income.
To date almost 30,000 additional people have prescription drug coverage.
- In 2007-08, 613 female and 1,891 male students were enrolled in the high
school Futures in Skilled Trades and Technology Program. The aim of this
program is to increase exposure to the skilled trades in high school and
increase awareness as a viable post-secondary option.
- Effective September 2007, K to 12 students now receive free textbooks.
In 2007-08, this benefited approximately 26,568 students in grades 9 to 12.
Under the new policy, families can save upwards of $500.