Responsible Social Investments in Budget 2012
Include $150 Million for Poverty Reduction
Moving forward to provide strong social programming, including initiatives to prevent, reduce and alleviate poverty, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is making significant investments through Budget 2012 to help this province’s most vulnerable – including $150.8 million under the Poverty Reduction Strategy, an increase of approximately $11.3 million from last year.
“Current and future generations of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians need to be afforded every opportunity to be successful and contribute to the province’s prosperity – Budget 2012 is helping us achieve this,” said the Honourable Joan Burke, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills. “Through a long-term integrated approach and strategic investments under the Poverty Reduction Strategy, as well as initiatives that enhance social programming, we continue to lead the way in creating real change in the lives of vulnerable people throughout our province.”
Providing a Secure Social Safety Net
Through the Poverty Reduction Strategy, Budget 2012 includes new investments
to enhance benefits and services within the Income Support Program
including:
The Provincial Government will also provide an additional $5.1 million to continue to index Income Support rates. This will help ensure increases in cost-of-living do not impact individuals and families who receive benefits.
Building Social Supports Through the Justice System
Protecting the most vulnerable in society is an essential part of the
justice system in Newfoundland and Labrador. Key Budget 2012 investments,
totalling $1.3 million, are:
In addition, the Provincial Government continues to invest in key areas of the justice system, including: $150,000 annually for the next four years to enhance the safety and security of adult probation offices throughout the province; $7 million since 2009 for the revitalization of the Newfoundland and Labrador corrections system; and, an additional $4.3 million since 2006 for Legal Aid for programming and positions.
Enhancing Housing and Community Supports
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC), under the Provincial
Government’s long-term Social Housing Plan, Secure Foundations, will
continue a sustained investment of $29.8 million to improve housing options,
advance educational opportunities and create healthier communities for
households with low income. NLHC’s initiatives supported through the Poverty
Reduction Strategy for Budget 2012 are:
NLHC’s programming promotes housing stability for vulnerable people and is designed to help individuals stay in their homes or obtain affordable housing. Investments include:
Preventing Violence
The Provincial Government understands the importance of providing strong
social supports in communities throughout the province. Budget 2012 will
allocate:
Working Towards a Better Educated Population
The Provincial Government recognizes that in today’s global community,
education is vital for success. However, there is a wide range of complex
issues that can impede success in the school system. Budget 2012 investments
support innovative ways to help students continue their education, and
succeed in life. Initiatives include:
Improving Access to Key Health Services
The Provincial Government remains committed to providing enhanced diagnostic
and therapeutic dental services to individuals in vulnerable circumstances,
including seniors and those in receipt of income support. Budget 2012
includes an investment of $6.7 million to support the Adult Dental Program,
which was implemented in January 2012.
The Provincial Government also remains focused on investing in the Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program, which supports the work of the Poverty Reduction Strategy. As noted under Health and Community Services, Budget 2012 allocates $155 million annually for the provision of the Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program.
Ensuring Inclusion and Accessibility for All
On April 19, the Provincial Government launched the Strategy for the
Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities - Access. Inclusion. Equality.,
another responsible social investment to support prosperity through improved
inclusion and accessibility, helping ensure all Newfoundlanders and
Labradorians have equal opportunities and choices.
The strategy provides a blueprint for moving forward in removing and preventing barriers, engaging public, private and volunteer sectors and changing how society views disability. Various initiatives that complement the strategy are supported in Budget 2012 through an investment of $6.5 million.
“Budget 2012 investments will help to secure the social safety net throughout this province, with strategic investments that address poverty and an array of other social issues that impact society’s most vulnerable,” said Minister Burke. “This government will continue to provide supports to these areas so all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians can have equal opportunity to participate in a time of unprecedented economic growth in this province.”
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Media contact:
John Tompkins Director of Communications Department of Advanced Education and Skills 709-729-0753, 728-7762 jtompkins@gov.nl.ca |
Vanessa Colman-Sadd Director of Communications Department of Justice 709-729-6985, 682-6593 vanessacolmansadd@gov.nl.ca |
Jason Card Director of Communications Department of Transportation and Works 709-729-3015, 699-0470 jasoncard@gov.nl.ca |
Michelle Hunt Director of Communications Department of Child, Youth and Family Services 709-729-5148, 725-1593 michellehunt@gov.nl.ca |
Heather May Director of Communications Department of Education 709-729-0048, 697-5061 heathermay@gov.nl.ca |
Jennifer Tulk Director of Communications Department of Health and Community Services 709-729-1377, 699-6524 jennifertulk@gov.nl.ca |
2012 04 24 2:35 p.m.