Executive Council
Advanced Education and Skills
August 9, 2013
The Provincial Government released new information online today showing that the percentage of the provincial population receiving Income Support benefits has fallen to seven per cent, the lowest rate on record.
“Today, more Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are working than ever before and income support numbers are at an historic low – clear evidence of our growing prosperity,” said the Honourable Joan Shea, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills. “The numbers show that our three-pronged approach in poverty reduction, which includes preventing people from living in poverty, reducing the number of people living in poverty, and alleviating the poverty experienced by vulnerable people, is working.”
In addition to a record decline in the percentage of the population receiving income support, the total number of income support cases in the province dropped to 23,592 in June, the lowest level since 1992. The number of families with children in receipt of income support has also continued to trend downward, with the percentage falling from 18.3 per cent in 1997 to 10.1 per cent in 2013.
As part of the Provincial Government’s commitment to openness and transparency, residents can now view income support statistics by visiting www.aes.gov.nl.ca/income-support/
“Availability and accessibility of information is important for citizen engagement,” said the Honourable Keith Hutchings Minister Responsible for the Office of Public Engagement. “By making income support data available online, this government is continuing to ensure that Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are able to access detailed information and also get a sense of the progress we are making as a province.”
Budget 2013: A Sound Plan, A Secure Future includes nearly $149 million for continuing initiatives of the Poverty Reduction Strategy to assist people living in low income households. The Provincial Government is also developing new approaches for educational upgrading and supports, including the recently announced Sector Skills program, to help people find and secure meaningful employment.
Media contacts:
| John Tompkins Director of Communications Department of Advanced Education and Skills 709-729-0753 jtompkins@gov.nl.ca |
Heather MacLean Director of Communications Department of Innovation, Business and Rural Development 709-729-4570, 697-4137 heathermaclean@gov.nl.ca |
2013 08 09 10:30 a.m.