April 18, 1997
(Human Resources and Employment)

Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers Responsible for Social
Services Continue Progress on National Child Benefit System

Federal/Provincial/Territorial ministers Responsible for Social Services met today to continue their progress towards a National Child Benefit (NCB) system and improving supports for persons with disabilities. The meeting was co-chaired by the Pierre S. Pettigrew, Minister of Human Resources Development, and Joan Marie Aylward, Minister of Human Resources and Employment for Newfoundland and Labrador and lead Provincial/Territorial Ministers.

Ministers pursued their joint efforts to prevent and reduce child poverty to improve opportunities for Canadain children. Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers reaffirmed that the NCB should not disadvantage families with children receiving social assistance. Ministers recognized that the federal downpayment is an important first step in the development of the NCB.

Ministers reaffirmed their shared commitment to the three objectives of th NCB: to help prevent and reduce the depth of child poverty; to promote attachment to the workforce; and to reduce overlap and duplication. Ministers agreed that the reinvestment framework will allow provinces and territories the flexibility to design or enhance programs consistent with the above objectives, recognizing the special needs and priorities of each province or territory.

Ministers discussed detailed design and implementation issues, building on the joint agreement-in-principle reached earlier this year. They committed to implementing the NCB by July 1998, or sooner if possible. Ministers agreed to move quickly to complete the detailed design work on the NCB this summer. This will be followed by legislative and administrative changes. Ministers agreed to the development of a joint public information paper.

"What we are building is a truly national system - a Canadian partnership that involves increased investment by the Government of Canada combined with provincial reinvestment in programs and services for children in low-income families," said Minister Pettigrew. "We are giving children in low income families a fighting chance for a better future. We are reshaping social policy to reflect Canadians' values and priorities, and working cooperatively to strengthen the federation."

"This meeting provided the needed direction to advance the work required to implement the National Child Benefit," said Minister Aylward. "As well, ministers are increasingly focusing on their shared goal of improving benefits and supports for people with disabilities. We have agreed to ensure the development of a strategic vision to guide the selection of appropriate options for our fall meeting, in consultation with key stakeholders."

Following discussions on the NCB, ministers reviewed preliminary work on a comprehensive National Children's Agenda, which is to be developed in conjunction with federal, provincial and territorial health ministers.

Ministers also discussed how to improve benefits and services for persons with disabilities. Ministers agreed that all governments will continue to work together to develop a shared vision and common agenda to help Canadians with disabilities. In pursuing this vision, ministers would work towards a shared understanding of the needs of persons with disabilities. They recognized that the focus will move beyond income support to include consideration to strategies that will enable people with disabilities to participate more fully in labour markets.

Work is under way to harmonize the current system of income support for persons with disabilities and to develop the successor to the Vocational Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons (VRDP) program. Ministers indicated that bilateral agreements on VRDP should be reached as quickly as possible to meet the April 1998 implementation date.

The Quebec minister stated that she shared the objectives of increasing resources available for poor children, and helping people keep their jobs or return to the workforce, as her government's family policy testifies. However, she pointed out that the Quebec government's position on social policy is that such policy falls under Quebec's exclusive jurisdiction and that, consequently, inside Quebec, the government intends to exercise its full powers in this regard. It wants to see a transfer of tax points, or else a transfer of funds corresponding to the federal government's social policy expenditures in Quebec, to be used to pursue the objectives of the government's family policy.

Ministers concluded the meeting by reiterating the importance of an open process on these key social policy initiatives. Ministers will meet in September in St. John's, Newfoundland, to review progress on the NCB, the national Children's Agenda and disability issues. A status report will be forwarded at the end of June to the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Council on Social Policy Renewal and to First Ministers.

Contact:

     Anna Kapiniari
     Office of Minsiter Pettigrew
     Human Resources Development Canada
     (819) 953-2352

     Glenn Bruce
     Office of Minister Aylward
     Department of Human Resources and Employment
     Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
     (709) 729-4062