N.S. shifts employment support for income assistance recipients, resulting in layoffs
- The Nova Scotia government announced changes to employment support for income assistance recipients, shifting clients to Nova Scotia Works beginning next month to streamline services and reduce duplication.
- Shelley James, associate deputy minister of the Social Development Department, said the move aims to end a "two-tiered system" and remove stigma so income assistance recipients access the same employment supports as other Nova Scotians.
- Restructuring will impact 75 to 85 positions; officials confirmed 300 unionized staff received voluntary severance offers yesterday and three non-unionized employees were laid off.
- Tara Walsh, a senior executive director with the Labour, Skills and Immigration Department, noted Nova Scotia Works has capacity to support approximately 1,100 people transitioning from the Social Development Department.
- The current budget for employment support services is $14 million, though further changes are expected by the end of the fiscal year as the government pursues a five percent reduction in civil service size.
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Efforts to improve N.S. employment support services will also impact government jobs
The Nova Scotia government is making changes to employment support for people who receive income assistance. And while officials say it should lead to improved services, it will also result in the elimination of up to 85 department positions.
Winnipeg Free Press
City NewsN.S. shifts employment support for income assistance recipients, resulting in layoffs
HALIFAX - The Nova Scotia government is changing how residents on income assistance receive employment support, in a shift that will impact as many as 85 provincial positions and result in some layoffs.
"Minister Maciej Berek is moving on to other duties," Donald Tusk announced at the beginning of the cabinet meeting. "As you know, he was my right-hand man," he emphasized. Berek served as minister responsible for overseeing the implementation of government policy. The Prime Minister announced the name of the minister's successor.
New approach to employment supports for Income Assistance recipients; N.S. NDP say questions remain on impact of changes
HALIFAX: Nova Scotians receiving income assistance will have access to the same employment services, supports and job opportunities as other job seekers in the province.Starting in September, income assistance recipients who are ready to look for work will be referred to Nova Scotia Works, the Province’s public employment service that offers free employment supports in more than 50 communities.“Moving to a one-door approach means income assistan…
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