Lawyer criticizes Nova Scotia's inadequate poverty assistance efforts

A human rights lawyer has criticized the Nova Scotia government for not doing enough to help people on income assistance. Vince Calderhead called this situation a "borderline human rights violation." He spoke at a meeting of the Nova Scotia Legislature's committee on public bills, focusing on the current budget. Calderhead pointed out that, although income assistance rates are now linked to inflation, they have not significantly increased. He noted that many recipients are still living well below the poverty line. For example, a single adult receives about $9,816 a year, while the poverty line in Halifax for this person is $28,720. Calderhead's research highlights the struggles of different categories of income assistance recipients. For instance, a single parent with a two-year-old child gets $22,934 a year, while the poverty line for that family size is $40,207. He criticized the government for previous inaction on assistance rates and for the minimal increases that have occurred. Scott Armstrong, the Opportunities and Social Development Minister, acknowledged Calderhead's comments. He pointed to the indexation of income assistance rates as a positive step but admitted that the increases were modest. Armstrong mentioned upcoming meetings to discuss further support for income assistance programs. Opposition leaders also weighed in, calling current assistance rates a failure for marginalized Nova Scotians. They argued that these rates do not meet the rising cost of living. Calderhead urged the government to increase the poverty reduction tax credit and consider a guaranteed basic income to better support those in need. He claimed that investment in reducing poverty could save significant amounts in healthcare and other public service costs.