In 2009, New Brunswick became the sixth province to adopt a poverty-reduction strategy, Overcoming Poverty Together: The New Brunswick Economic and Social Inclusion Plan.
New Brunswick adopted the Economic and Social Inclusion Act, in 2010, to serve as the legislative framework to implement the plan.
To implement the plan, the government established a new crown corporation, the Economic and Social Inclusion Corporation. The corporation is governed by representatives of government, community, business and low-income persons and oversees the formation of community-level networks to create local poverty reduction plans.
The Plan
Goal
“By 2015, New Brunswick will have reduced income poverty by 25% and deep income poverty by 50%, and will have made significant progress in achieving sustained economic and social inclusion.”
Strategy
The plan contains 22 priorities for action in three broad areas:
- Opportunities for Being (meeting basic needs)
- Opportunities for Becoming (life-long learning and skills acquisition)
- Opportunities for Belonging (community participation)
Areas for action include reforming social assistance and raising the minimum wage, introducing an Early Learning and Child Care Act, making training and education opportunities more accessible, and developing a comprehensive housing strategy.
Budget & Accountability
The Economic and Social Inclusion Corporation is responsible for setting baselines and establishing indicators, both at the provincial and local levels. The Economic and Social Inclusion Act gives authority to the Corporation to monitor the progress of the implementation of the New Brunswick Economic and Social Inclusion Plan.
Progress Report
In 2006, 13.8% of the population of New Brunswick, approximately 100,740 people, were living in poverty.
New Brunswick’s plan represents a good start to addressing poverty in the province. However, there have been some concerns raised by anti-poverty groups. The creation of a Crown corporation to monitor the plan takes away the ability of Members of the Provincial Legislature to make direct critiques to those in charge of the plan, and there are concerns that some regions of the province are not represented on the Board that manages it. Currently changes made to the social assistance program only benefit about 3% of those receiving payments and while there are plans to increase the minimum wage it currently remains the lowest wage in Atlantic Canada.
New Brunswick’s plan is a step in the right direction but it will require continued pressure from the population to ensure that the government implements change and meets its commitments to make a real impact on reducing poverty in New Brunswick.
Take Action
New Brunswick is doing its part to address poverty but the provinces and territories need federal support to significantly reduce and ultimately eliminate poverty in Canada. That’s why we’re calling on Canada to adopt a national poverty-reduction strategy.
Support a National Poverty Reduction Strategy
Resources
Documents
OVERCOMING POVERTY TOGETHER: The New Brunswick Economic and Social Inclusion Plan
Government Sites
Economic and Social Inclusion Corporation
The Government of New Brunswick: Developing a Poverty Reduction Plan
The Government of New Brunswick: Bringing the Pieces Together: Developing a Poverty Reduction Plan
Organizations
Common Front for Social Justice
