Poverty and affordable housing
Probably the biggest blemish on the face of our great nation is the millions of people living in poverty. Even more disturbing is that almost one in four of them are children. Poverty is a cycle that traps people in its bureaucratic contradictions. Those on social assistance are penalized for any attempt to improve their lot in life. Working more hours or expanding their education should both result in savings or career advancement but instead they are stripped of their benefits equal to the cost of the education they seek or the extra money they earn. I will work with the Province to ensure that not only are these penalties removed but also push for incentives to enrolment in post-secondary education with an emphasis on the trades. A time-lag between a person’s increase in income and the reduction in benefits would give them the foundation they need to start saving and get themselves out of the cycle of poverty. Enabling both parents in working families to hold full time jobs is another way to help them build a sound economic base. Access to affordable childcare is a critical aspect of this.
