Don't think of food banks as a Band-Aid. What we do is more like a tourniquet
Some opinions — like food banks distributing unhealthy food — are not supported by the facts
This column is an opinion by Alex Boyd, executive director of Greener Village in Fredericton. For more information about CBC's Opinion section, please see the FAQ.
It's that time of year again. The Christmas carols are long finished, the malls and stores are quiet, and for the first time in weeks, your local food bank isn't everywhere you look.
After the hustle and bustle of the holidays, life is returning to normal. But throughout December, you couldn't turn sideways without hearing about turkey drives, or gifts for kids, or other food bank endeavours.
And inevitably, this rise in publicity and recognition triggered a wave of comments, letters and thoughts. "Food banks are part of the problem," "food banks don't address the issue," and my personal favourite, "food banks are a Band-Aid."
To an extent, I get it.
Being the executive director of Greener Village, the largest food bank in New Brunswick, has given me valuable insight into how food banks have evolved. I realize the beginnings — and how the need for food banks has only increased over the last 40 years.
In fact, in 2022 food banks saw the highest level of need ever, with 23,000 visits in March in New Brunswick alone.
Some may say that this proves food banks are an inefficient model and should be scrapped since they don't help solve food insecurity. Those same opinions typically throw out several more concerns: "Food banks don't provide good food," we're told. Or that food banks cause shame, are judgmental or don't pay attention to the cultural needs of people.
I had the privilege of attending a conference about food systems several weeks ago. It was wonderful to hear about all the great initiatives throughout the Atlantic region to promote local food access, affordability and fairness.
It was great to hear the presenters from academia, business, agriculture and food charities talk about the need for local food production, processing and procurement.
One of the opinions expressed at the conference framed food charity as a Band-Aid. It took the air out of the room for a minute for me, as I realized that there are many people (including people at a food systems conference) in our communities who don't have an accurate understanding of how organizations like Greener Village actually function.
We're not fixing small scrapes on a knee
So let me be very clear. Food banks are not a Band-Aid. A Band-Aid is a little strip of plastic that you put on a small wound. It's something that can be used for minor cuts and maybe on the odd scrape.
Food banks are not dealing with something so trivial. Food banks are dealing with a serious and systemic issue.
While
food banks collected non-perishable items from individual donors, other
donations allow them to purchase fresh and frozen foods that account
for many of the contents of individual hampers. (Submitted by Alex Boyd )
So, the picture I'd like to put in your mind when you think about the rising prevalence of hunger in our communities is that of a person who just lost a limb.
Without immediate intervention, they are at risk of bleeding to death. We know that stemming the bleeding will not put this person back to perfect health, but the bleeding needs to stop if life is to be preserved.
Food banks across our country are tourniquets that are stemming the bleeding.
Here's what you need to know. Your local food bank is saving lives.
Let me tell you about some of the feedback we receive from our clients. It often feels overwhelming to read a phrase like this: "the food bank saved our lives."
My mind used to immediately discount that kind of thing. After all, we aren't firefighters, search and rescue, or health-care professionals. But the more feedback we receive, the more we hear that sentiment, over and over again.
It's time that we as food bankers take our role seriously — and talk about it with our communities.
Here's what you need to know. Your local food bank is saving lives.
The challenges are systemic
But the work isn't completed. We know that hunger is rising and that there are systemic challenges from food supply, waste, cost, availability and perhaps most importantly adequate awareness and education.
That's all before we even consider the challenge of income inequality, inflation and housing.
These most recent factors caused a 41 per cent increase in Greener Village client demand in 2022 alone.
All of these things need to be addressed if we are truly going to eliminate food insecurity. It is going to take a robust group of leaders who can begin to tackle all these issues at a policy level.
We need long-term solutions that factor in growing demand, increase in population and climate change.
Food banks play a critical role in filling the gaps. That's why places like Greener Village (and there are many) have "learning kitchens," which focus on food education.
It's why 60 per cent of what we spend on food goes to local and fresh food, and our hampers mirror this percentage in fresh and frozen food given to clients. Assumptions that food banks distribute unhealthy food are not true.
It's why we create many different hampers for people with different dietary, health and cultural needs.
It's why we work to divert edible foods from landfills and to make sure that we can get them to the people who need them most.
So while we wait for good, sustainable systemic solutions to the challenges of hunger and food insecurity, food banks will continue to be here — every month of the year.
We will continue to sustain lives, fill gaps and innovate to address a growing problem.
And, we will be here for those times when life throws you a curveball that you didn't expect.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Methinks it high time the food bankers and I discuss the the 529 Matter before the EUB N'esy Pas?
"The number of families from the McAdam and Harvey area using the Lakeland Resource Centre's food bank has jumped about 50 per cent over last year to 32, said Crissy Soucy.
She said she believes one of the main factors behind the increase is the rising cost of power bills.
In order to avoid social assistance clients having their power cut off if they fall behind on their bill, the Department of Social Development sometimes sets aside a portion of their cheque, "which leaves them with very minimal money given to them at the first of the month," said Soucy.
"And they have to rely on the food banks to get them through until the family allowance comes. And there's just not enough to go around," she said.
"So if their cheque was $850, they take $400 off and it leaves them with $450 to do them. And that means paying the rent, paying their phone bill, paying their whatever they have. And then they have to wait for family allowance to come, probably to pay more bills."
N.B. Power asks for biggest rate hike in 15 years: 8.9 per cent on April 1
Premier blames climate policies, but CEO says ‘very little’ of hike is due to carbon pricing
Jacques Poitras · CBC News · Posted: Oct 05, 2022 3:48 PM ADT
"N.B. Power is asking energy regulators to approve an 8.9 per cent increase in power rates for all its customers, at the same time New Brunswickers are already coping with soaring housing, food and gasoline costs.
The Crown utility says it needs the huge increase in 2023-24 just to cover the "unprecedented challenges" caused by the spiralling cost of energy and inflation as well as higher interest rates.
"We recognize that any rate increase is difficult for our customers," acting CEO Lori Clark told reporters.
.
Some food banks frustrated over fewer funds, others welcome new funds
Rioux said the problem is not food stores but rising expenses for an organization on a tight budget — and a decrease in provincial funding that has exacerbated the issue.
"We can't always blame the government, but the cost of operation is getting higher and higher," Rioux told Shift New Brunswick.
"For us, we need electricity. Well, the government has raised four times the electricity [rates] and we have a cold storage that costs $300 a month to run."
FYI Alfie Smith and I attended the same hearing as Interveners
Sussex Sharing Club Wants NB Power To Implement Charitable Electricity Rate
Moncton, NB, Canada / 91.9 The Bend
May 10, 2016 | 8:02 PM
Sussex Sharing Club Wants NB Power To Implement Charitable Electricity Rate
The Sussex Sharing Club wants NB Power to implement a charitable electricity rate.
President Alfie Smith says NB Power is the only utility that doesn’t offer a charitable rate.
Smith says Saint John Energy, Nova Scotia Power and Aliant all have charitable power rates.
He says 35 of the 64 food banks in the area are direct customers of NB Power and would benefit immensely with a charitable rate that would free up more money for food.
Smith says 38 new families have been visiting the Sussex Sharing Club since the closure of PotashCorp.
He made his presentation during NB Power’s public hearing regarding their desired rate increase of 2 percent.
Smith says if the 2 percent rate increase is approved, it would cost food banks in the area another 100 dollars a month they can’t afford.
Right now, a food bank has to be located in a church to receive a charitable rate and only if that church was established prior to 1979, which Smith calls “outdated”.
Smith says he’s encouraged and hopeful that over the next three months that more help is given to charities.
Answer that, and you'll know why JT won - and why it doesn't matter that he won.
https://www.greenervillage.ca/alex-boyd/
Alex Boyd
Alex is a Frederictonian, born and raised. He grew up on the North side, attending Devon Park Christian School, now Fredericton Christian Academy, for all 13 years of his initial schooling. He spent a year after high school travelling throughout North America in a signing group. His time away just solidified how much he was meant to be home. After 4 year at UNB, Alex attended and graduated from the Atlantic Police Academy in 2009. Alex has always been an active member of the community through volunteering. He volunteered for the Fredericton Police Force as an Auxiliary Constable.
His primary volunteer focus has been working with the Fredericton Food Bank helping others. He was involved in committees, board service, and various volunteer roles before stepping into a full-time position with Greener Village.
Alex is married, with 3 beautiful children who keep him young and on his toes. He loves being part of the community and is happy to invest his efforts to address the growing problem of food insecurity.
Address & Phone
686 Riverside Dr
Fredericton, NB
E3A 8C2
T. 506.459.7461
A day at the food bank: A photo essay on giving, kindness and community
Volunteers lend support to growing need during this holiday season
I
have never had any direct connection with food insecurity, but have
known families that use food banks and some who even "dumpster dive,"
partially because of the enormous waste by our supermarkets and
partially by circumstance.
The topic of food insecurity led
me to apply for — and receive — a Canada Council grant allowing me to
begin my own "Every Person Project," exploring how we shop for our food.
So being assigned to photograph activity at the Oromocto Food Bank presented an unbelievable opportunity to look at another side of an ever-growing concern that affects us all.
Jane Buckley, executive director of the food bank, leads a team of enthusiastic volunteers. Many of them are retirees, but there's also a sprinkling of students and a few others still in the workforce.
All together, they present is a well-oiled and caring machine, with each volunteer knowing their role — and the good that they provide by doing so.
I was immediately welcomed which made my conversations and research easy.
My photographs reveal the efforts and co-ordination needed to provide good food for those in need.
Behind a camera, I'm usually detached from events surrounding me, but to see the incredible amounts of food that would normally go to waste being purposefully used brought about a tear.
The hope that is imbued into every box of food, every backpack and every Christmas present made possible by the Oromocto Food Bank shows that no one should go without.
I've learned a lot from this experience.
Portraits of Kindness is a special series of photo essays. CBC Atlantic asked local photographers to visit a food bank and capture acts of kindness through their lens. The project coincides with CBC's Make The Season Kind campaign in support of food banks in Atlantic Canada.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/nb-food-bank-support-system-1.5692356
New food bank support system made easier after COVID-19 connections
Discussions for change began three years ago and involves 60 locations
Executive Director Chantal Senecal said a decision was made at the annual meeting of the New Brunswick Association of Food Banks to dissolve and let Food Depot Alimentaire take over.
But Senecal added it has been something both organizations have been discussing since they began working together since 2017.
"About a year and a half ago we started the discussions of moving forward in a more efficient way, I guess," she said. "There was just a lot of things that just made sense for us to better support the food banks in our province."
Senecal said the 60 food banks across the province will be working with Food Depot Alimentaire but will remain independent.
With Food Depot Alimentaire taking over the distribution of food to food banks three years ago, Senecal said it put them in a good situation when the COVID-19 pandemic began,
"We were in a really good position to administer funding out to the food banks as well as support in terms of the protocols in making sure the food banks were still set up and able to serve their clients."
Being able to stay connected with the food banks, deemed an essential service early on in the pandemic on a daily basis was really important, Senecal said.
Chantal Senecal encourages people to volunteer or donate to help out food banks in New Brunswick. (Angela Bosse/CBC)
"It kind of sped up the process as well of connecting with the food banks and building that network."
Senecal added each food bank is still their own independent organization and will do their own programs to fit the needs of their communities whether they are in a rural or urban area of the the province.
"We're more of a partner working in collaboration to represent them on a provincial level in terms of advocacy and policy in provincial government to reduce poverty and numbers at food banks."
Food Depot Alimentaire will also ensure food banks have the resources they need to continue to the work they have to to meet those needs.
"It's all about coming together and improving services."
Senecal said food banks are preparing to have more clients as government benefit programs end and more people begin to experience issues with food security.
"Not everyone who is food insecure will come to a food bank. We have to make sure we're working with other groups and other people involved in food security to come to a collaborative approach in New Brunswick."
Senecal encourages people to help out in whatever way they can - volunteering, making donations and more.
"There are so many ways to get involved, it's just for people to take that first step."
With files from Information Morning Moncton
https://fooddepot.ca/about/#team
Our Team
Food Depot Alimentaire is operated by a Board of Directors, a small staff and a large group of volunteers.
Board Directors
Dale Hicks – President
Gary Jamieson – Vice President
Francis Melanson – Treasurer
Mindee-Sue Walker
Remi Belliveau
Marc LeBlanc
Laurie Stewart
Honorary Board Members
Ray Gould
Food Depot Alimentaire Staff
Stephane Sirois – Executive Director
Ian Harvey – Administrator
Steve MacIntyre – Director of Warehouse Operations
Ken Canning – Food Procurement & Transportation Logistics
Natalia Startsev – Inventory Controls
Don Killam – Provincial Transport Driver
Paul Henri – Student Nutrition Transport Driver
Tony Gerbert – Local Transport Driver
Nick Freeman – Forklift Operator
Max Walters- warehouse/ forklift operator
Donna Eagles – 5050 Coordinator
Kristine McNeil – 5050 Coordinator
Carrie Delaney – Provincial Coordinator-Programs and Community Engagement.
330, MacNaughton Avenue,
Moncton (New Brunswick) E1H 2K1
Join our Network!
Are you a food security organization providing food to people in your community in the province of New Brunswick? Are you responding to a need in food security programming? (i.e. meal program)
The New Brunswick Food Depot Alimentaire is the provincial association of food banks for Food Banks Canada, supporting a national network of over 3000 food banks, kitchens, shelters, and nonprofits supporting food security across the country.
Currently, New Brunswick has 62 member agencies.
- Joining this network provides your organization with the opportunity to access provincial and national -food supply purchases and donations free of charge
- food retail program gives access to food recovery initiatives for member agencies
- funding opportunities through grants, specified donations, and national campaigns
- Support through network standards, communications, and sharing of best practices among members.
- Access to Link2Feed database system at free of charge
At the NBFDA we support close collaboration and sharing of resources between agencies. Our application to the membership is two-tiered.
The initial inquiry will allow our Advisory Committee to review the organization’s needs and location and determine whether the organization has the potential to partner with a local food bank as a “satellite” to receive support. The local food bank or agency would then provide administration support, donations, and access to services through their own membership.
The criteria for review includes
- Location and proximity of local food bank or current member agency
- Description of programs, number of people served and evaluate possible duplication of services
- Identify barriers to access within community for certain populations (BIPOC, religion etc)
- Identify capacity within community and potentials for partnerships
The final inquiry will be in the form of a proposal requesting more detailed information about your organization’s governance, operations, statistics, and programming.
Annual Membership Fees:
$250 Small food bank – 1-199 individuals served
$500 Medium food bank – 200-499 individuals served
$750 Large food bank – 500+ individuals served
https://fooddepot.ca/need-help/
https://nb.211.ca/record-detail/69978516/agency/
- Description
- Registered charity focused on food security
- Programs / Services
- Sites
- Peter McKee Community Food Centre
475 St George St, Moncton
- Peter McKee Community Food Centre
- Legal Status
- (50) Non Profit
- Web Site
- Visit Website
- info@fooddepot.ca
- Toll Free
- 1-800-383-0803
- Office
- 506-383-4281 ext 2
- Fax
- 506-388-5822
- Hours of Operation
- Mon-Fri 9 am-4 pm
- Executive Director
- Chantal Senecal
Email: chantal.senecal@fooddepot.ca
Phone: 506-383-4281 ext 103
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/nb-power-rate-increase-1.6607156
N.B. Power asks for biggest rate hike in 15 years: 8.9 per cent on April 1
Premier blames climate policies, but CEO says ‘very little’ of hike is due to carbon pricing
The Crown utility says it needs the huge increase in 2023-24 just to cover the "unprecedented challenges" caused by the spiralling cost of energy and inflation as well as higher interest rates.
"We recognize that any rate increase is difficult for our customers," acting CEO Lori Clark told reporters.
"N.B. Power has taken steps to ensure the rate increase is as low as it can possibly be, while ensuring that the utility can continue to cover its services reliably, safely and confidently for New Brunswickers now and into the future."
The rate increase, if approved by the Energy and Utilities Board, would take effect April 1, 2023.
It's N.B. Power's biggest rate application since 2007, when it asked for a 9.6 per cent increase. That was later lowered to 6.4 per cent, and the board eventually set the increase at 5.9 per cent.
At
the legislature Wednesday, Premier Blaine Higgs blamed the higher costs
driving the rate hike on federal climate policies that he said are
making energy more expensive. (Andrew Vaughan/The Canadian Press)
The utility says energy costs for fuel purchase and electricity imports from outside the province will increase by $102.8 million in the coming year, and recent interest rate increases will add $31 million to the corporation's bottom line.
The application acknowledges that even an 8.9 per cent increase won't be enough to lower its accumulated debt of about $5 billion or increase its equity relative to that debt.
Officials say it may have to seek rate increases of two to 16 per cent in each of the two following years, but because of market volatility it's not applying for hikes for those years yet.
At the legislature Wednesday, Premier Blaine Higgs blamed the higher costs driving the rate hike on federal climate policies that he said are making energy more expensive.
"This shouldn't be a surprise," he said. "The policies that are being put on us now are causing a higher cost of energy in our province.
"N.B. Power is reacting to that. They really don't have a choice."
Clark, however, said that only a small part of the increased costs comes from federal carbon pricing requirements.
The utility says 52 per cent of the rate increase can be attributed to fuel costs, but "very little of that is actually attributed to the carbon pricing," Clark said.
"The carbon pricing itself is in the millions of dollars. Most of it is the result of the increase in fuels that we buy and trade on world markets."
N.B. Power cites pandemic, war in Ukraine
The utility's application mentions carbon pricing and the transition to renewable and low-emitting energy sources as factors in the "significant fiscal challenges" it's facing.
But it also notes that people "across the world" are facing some of the same challenges as New Brunswickers, such as energy price volatility due to the war in Ukraine and supply chain disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The application points out rate increases over the last decade have not kept pace with inflation or with many other provincial utilities' rates.
The request would be for a double-digit increase if not for N.B. Power's plan to shave $50 million from its costs, including by eliminating some positions, officials said.
Province not likely to overrule increase
Clark defended the decision to freeze rates in the last two years due to COVID-19, but she would not say whether earlier rate freezes or below-inflation increases, some of them imposed by governments, had been a mistake.
"There's a lot of blame to attribute in the past, and we're going to focus on going forward and ensuring the utility is healthy for the future," she said.
Natural
Resources and Energy Development Minister Mike Holland said he's
strongly in favour of allowing the utility to form its own rate increase
without intervention from the government. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)
Both Higgs and Energy Minister Mike Holland all but ruled out stepping in to overrule the EUB if it approves the rate increase.
"I'm strongly in favour of allowing the utility to form their own rate increase without intervention from the government, taking heart and knowing that the EUB is there to ensure that whatever increase they come out the other side with, it's legitimate," Holland said.
Higgs noted the recent announcement of a "probably unprecedented" program to provide free heat pumps to households that use electric heat and have an income of less than $70,000.
He said the province will soon announce another program "for other forms of heating as well, to reduce that."
N.B. Power estimates the heat pump program, which also includes insulation upgrades, will lower a household's yearly bill by $500.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/moncton-food-bank-depot-1.4885469
Delays forming government means people could go hungry, food depot says
Moncton’s food depot forced to scrap funding application to expand provincial food warehouse
New Brunswick food banks could have less food for hungry people because of the slow process of forming a new provincial government.
Moncton's Food Depot applied earlier this year for funding to expand its provincial warehouse to provide space for food shipments and to create an area for sorting food for different districts across the province.
But the depot learned last week that the Regional Development Corporation can't do anything until a new government is in place, said Dale Hicks, president of the Moncton charity.
- Food bank warehouse bursting at the seams
- Food Depot in Moncton wants to eliminate food waste in city
The depot has outgrown the building in the Caledonia Industrial Park and has already brought in two trailers for storing food.
"When you want to get to a certain product that's down the aisle, you've got to move 10 or 15 piles of cookies and crackers to get to the soup or the produce," Hicks said Wednesday.
"It's a very inefficient way to work."
But frustrated with the slow response from the province, Hicks said the application for funding has now been withdrawn and the project shelved until at least next spring.
Because of the close election results more than a month ago, it's possible the government of Premier Brian Gallant will fall Friday when the legislature votes on the throne speech. If that happens, the Progressive Conservatives under Blaine Higgs could be asked to try to govern.
Counting on government and donations
Food Depot president Dale Hicks says the charity will revisit the expansion project next spring. (CBC)In the spring, Hicks said, he was promised $154,000 from the Regional Development Corporation to put toward the expansion project, which is expected to cost more than $500,000. But there's no federal program to match the funds, he said.
He went back to the province in August asking for $231,000 and saying the depot would split the rest of the cost through donations and other funding.
After a meeting earlier this month, Hicks was hoping for an answer from the province by Oct. 30, his "drop-dead date in terms of going ahead with this."
- Food banks call for more discussion of poverty issues on campaign trail
- Moncton's new, centralized food bank now open
"We sent out a message yesterday saying, 'I guess this isn't going to happen.'"
Hicks said putting up the building during the winter is not an option.
The Food Depot will revisit the project next spring.
'Nobody's listening'
"When I see them in the paper and they're like, 'We're listening, we're listening to New Brunswickers,' nobody's listening to this particular situation," Hicks said.
It's been almost two years since the Moncton depot started acting as the central warehouse for New Brunswick's 60 food banks.
The depot receives large loads of certain items, such as crackers, cookies and soup.
"It's not like we have this wide variety of food in the warehouse," he said. "We have large quantities of certain products and that depreciates our capacity in the warehouse."
In total, the depot received about 750,000 pounds of food in 2017, or 340,000 kilograms, worth about $1.8 million.
This year, the food freight moving through the depot is on track to more than double, he said, to 1.6 million pounds, or nearly 750,000 kilograms, valued at more than $4 million.
Turning away donations
He said all the food is needed, but only so much of it can be sent out to the food banks at a time. And when the depot runs out of room in December, it will have to turn away food donations.
Hicks said the depot and the New Brunswick Association of Food Banks want to accept food but they can't.
The depot will continue taking shipments until the end of November but after that it will be by "a load-by-load basis."
Despite community fundraisers like Santa Claus parades, which bring in additional food, the lack of funding could mean fewer donations are able to come in at Christmastime, he said, showing his frustration.
"It's a little bit of money at the end of the day," he said.
- With files from Information Morning Moncton, Jennifer Sweet, Colin McPhail
Food bank warehouse bursting at the seams
Food Depot in Moncton needs bigger space as food donations more than double in 2018
It's been almost two years since the Food Depot in Moncton started acting as the central warehouse for New Brunswick's 60 food banks.
And operators say they have outgrown their building in the Caledonia Industrial Park.
"We had to put trailers — two containers — out in the parking lot at a cost of $9,000 to us," Food Depot president Dale Hicks told Information Morning Moncton.
That's a shame if we have to say no to free food because we have nowhere to put it for the people that are hungry.
- Laurie Stewart, New Brunswick Association of Food Banks
At times, the New Brunswick Association of Food Banks has had to rent refrigerated units to put in the parking lot just to hold the overflow food, Hicks said.
"There's times when we've actually had to hold back shipments because we just didn't have anywheres to put them," he said. "So, we're at the point where we really need to expand the building in order to work efficiently there."
Laurie Stewart, president of the association, said donations are increasing, which is a good thing because food banks need the food.
Everyone would rather not see food banks growing, but in the meantime 25,000 to 27,000 New Brunswickers are coming to members of his organization for help.
"We're just feeding hungry people," Stewart said.
- Food banks call for more discussion of poverty issues on campaign trail
- Some food banks frustrated over money, others welcome change
- Moncton group's fruitful way to cut down on food waste
Hicks said a lot of companies are donating food and it's getting shipped to Moncton for free, courtesy of CN.
Some of it also goes to breakfast programs at 21 schools in southeast New Brunswick.
In total, he said the depot received about 750,000 pounds of food in 2017, or 340,000 kilograms, worth about $1.8 million.
This year, the food freight moving through the depot is on track to more than double, he said, to 1,640,000 pounds, or nearly 750,000 kilograms, valued at more than $4 million.
Hoping for federal money
"That's a shame if we have to say no to free food because we have no where to put it for the people that are hungry," said Stewart.
The Food Depot got $150,000 from the provincial government last spring to put toward a $500,000 expansion project, but Hicks said there's no federal program to match the funds.
"There are programs for teaching kitchens or to eradicate the situation of people coming to the food bank, but not for a capital project like that," he said.
"It boggles my mind they can't find $150,000 somewhere."
Short shrift from politicians
Stewart said he was disappointed the issue wasn't addressed during the provincial election campaign.
"The part that I find hard to swallow is before the election there was all kinds of money. … You know, four million for a wharf in Shediac, there was a million dollars for a ball field here and soccer fields there and things all over the province. And, you know, they were important too. But it just seemed like we weren't high enough up the ladder to get a good photo op."
The
Food Depot has had to rent storage containers outside its warehouse in
Moncton to hold all of the food it handles for 60 New Brunswick food
banks. (Submitted by The Food Depot)
The Food Depot's new plan is to try to get another $100,000 from the province and have the remaining $250,000 for the project skimmed from provincial grants to the food banks.
"We're talking about four per cent — four per cent of these grants that they put out over a four-year period would solve the problem, if the government will match it," Hicks said. "So I think the government has to step up. I think the food banks have to put some skin in the game in a small way.
"Like, we would lose four per cent off of our grant, which is, I think, $60,000. But it's a small price to pay when you're bringing in $4 million worth of food to be shared around the 60 food banks."
Hicks is hoping to meet with someone from the Department of Social Development soon to have a solution in place before the end of construction season and the beginning of the Christmas giving season, when donations from individuals ramp up.
"Last year you couldn't fit a bottle of water in that place. … We're trying to get something done here in the next few weeks," he said.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/food-banks-election-poverty-issues-1.4827031
Food banks call for more discussion of poverty issues on campaign trail
Food banks in New Brunswick would like to hear more from political leaders
Joe Cyr says trying to help low-income earners in Madawaska County is challenge.
Cyr is with the L'Atelier R.A.D.O., which includes a food bank, community kitchen, and provides clothing.
He says funding to his organization has been cut over the last two years, forcing it to implement cost-cutting measures like putting an end to serving meals on Wednesday.
"We had to reduce our boxes, on occasion we don't give the same amount of food to our families because of a lack of funds," he said.
As the provincial election enters its final week, Cyr would like to see more emphasis placed on the issue of poverty and food banks. He says food banks have been taken for granted, and the issue doesn't seem to be a "high priority."
Laurie Stewart agrees it's a struggle.
Laurie
Stewart, president of the New Brunswick Association of Food Banks,
would like to see more discussion on the campaign trail about food banks
and their role. (Submitted)
Stewart is the president of the New Brunswick Association of Food Banks. He says there are 60 food banks in the province serving more than 25,000 people — many of whom are low-income residents who literally can't afford to eat.
"If they get … less than $600 a month, by the time they pay the rent and pay their heat they do not have enough for food," Stewart said. "Those are the people we're dealing with, we're just trying to feed the hungry."
Stewart says food distributed to the food banks in the province come through the Food Depot Alimentaire warehouse in Moncton.
He says efforts are underway to expand the warehouse in order to accommodate more food donations.
"The point that I tried to make to the people that are running for office is if we have more space we get more food and ship more food out to the people that need it and that in turn saves the government money." Stewart said.
Stewart says the expansion will cost about $450,000.
He too would like these issues given more prominence in the provincial election campaign.
Party policies
When asked by CBC about their policy on food banks, four of the five parties responded.
The Liberal Party cited its campaign promises to freeze power rates and increase the minimum wage as two factors that would benefit food banks and their clients, but didn't otherwise commit to any increase in funding.
"The grant program for food banks in the province was reviewed in collaboration with the New Brunswick Association of Food Banks, in response to their concerns that the previous program was unequal and not transparent enough," the party said in a written statement. "Every food bank received at least 90 per cent of the funding they requested."
Conservative Leader Blaine Higgs said his party didn't have a specific policy on food banks, but a "deep respect and gratitude" for the work they do.
"Unfortunately when our economy is struggling charities, including food banks, feel the effects. There are typically fewer donations and an increased demand for help," he wrote.
NDP Leader Jennifer McKenzie also cited campaign promises to boost the minimum wage and reduce the cost of childcare as measures that would benefit food bank clients and reduce the pressure on food banks.
"It's imperative that the government takes action to really fight poverty, so that New Brunswickers don't depend on food banks," she wrote.
The Green Party provided a written statement promising to "adequately fund" food banks, but did not provide specifics about funding levels.
"We would also immediately increase social assistance rates and pilot a basic income guarantee, which would help relieve the pressures that food banks face." the party said in its statement.
Cyr says L'Atelier R.A.D.O. helps 600 families a year in Madawaska County and serves 26,000 meals.
He says grants to food banks need to be increased and the role of food banks taken more seriously.
"The majority of our food banks are run by volunteer people and all they want to do is to get food to their clients. They don't have the know it all to go into the computers and fill out all this red tape and then find out at the end that they don't qualify." said Cyr.
"All they want is money so that they can maintain the status quo, serve their clients in the best possible way they can."
Grand Falls food bank to close next week
Decrease in provincial funding partly to blame, says operator
Increased demand and less funding has led to the closure of a Grand Falls food bank, according to the man who runs it.
The Grand Falls Regional Food Bank will shutter its doors Monday, but Glenn Rioux said the team will continue to help feed people in need. The food bank served about 6,700 people last year, he said.
Rioux said the problem is not food stores but rising expenses for an organization on a tight budget — and a decrease in provincial funding that has exacerbated the issue.
"We can't always blame the government, but the cost of operation is getting higher and higher," Rioux told Shift New Brunswick.
"For us, we need electricity. Well, the government has raised four times the electricity [rates] and we have a cold storage that costs $300 a month to run."
The food bank will close Monday, according to operator Glenn Rioux. (Google Maps)
He said the redistribution of provincial funds in 2017 has cost the food bank $5,000. Rioux said that may seem a small amount, but it adds up in a community where fewer donations are coming in.
New funding program
Last year, a new program called the Community Food Resource Support Program was introduced and an evaluation committee was created to assess applications, said Department of Social Development spokeswoman Anne Mooers.
"Funding was allocated to each applicant based on New Brunswick's food insecurity statistics, the Food Banks Canada Hunger Count, and additional information provided by each food bank to demonstrate their need," she said in a email Friday afternoon.
Food banks received at least 90 per cent of the funding requested, she said. In Rioux's case, Grand Falls requested $47,136 and received a grant of $42,422.
"The grant program for food banks was reviewed in collaboration with the New Brunswick Association of Food Banks, in response to its concerns that the previous program was unequal and not transparent enough," said Mooers.
The move was criticized by some food banks that saw a dip in funding, while it was cheered by others that received funds for the first time.
The province's new funding arrangement received mixed reviews from food banks when it was announced last year. (Matthew Garand/CBC)
The department said it's working with the New Brunswick Association of Food Banks to ensure users of the Grand Falls food bank will not be affected.
Association officials were not immediately available for comment Friday afternoon.
Rioux said the organization will continue to do what it can to help its clients. That could range from selling its building to supporting similar organizations in the area.
"It doesn't mean everybody is going to get food," he said. "But we're going to work hard enough to do the best that we can."
With files from Shift New Brunswick and Colin McPhail
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/food-banks-new-brunswick-funding-1.4265821
Some food banks frustrated over fewer funds, others welcome new funds
The new distribution model was created to ensure funding for 'all eligible food banks,' government says
A fairer system of distributing government money to food banks in the province has some organizations complaining, while others are relieved to be getting funding for the first time.
One food bank in Edmundston, N.B., said the new system has left the organization short in funds.
"The impact is major, $10,000 on an organization like us, its major," Yves Sévigny, general manager of the L'Atelier R.A.D.O. said.
According to the Canadian Revenue Agency, the organization received close to $100,000 in government funding last year, but now it has to make up an additional $10,000 to offset the loss.
"We are now buying food that is needed for the the Christmas box, and only for the soup, the tomato soup, it cost me about $1,200 dollar - only for the Christmas, it's not the regular boxes," he said.
"Ten percent of the cost that they cut me, 10 per cent of the $10,000 dollar is only tomato soup," Sévigny said.
He said the community in Edmundston is small and it will be hard to make up the money in donations
"There's no door where we can go and knock and get a cheque," he added.
Sévigny said the organizations serves about 2,100 meals per month out of their soup kitchen, that is around 25,000 per year. They give out over 200 food boxes a month.
To offset the missing funds, Sévigny said the yearly food bank membership had to increase from $1 to $10 for the 500 or so clients the organization serves. He said they also had to triple the price of clothing they sell from 25 cents a T-shirt to 75 cents a T-shirt and staffing hours had to be reduced for two employees.
"We're speaking about people who don't have any money, they live with the bare minimum money in a month and for them that 10 dollars is a huge price to pay," he said.
"Those are the most vulnerable people in society and they don't have any money and if we raise the price for them we are impacting them the most but we don't have any choice."
Equal funding for all food banks
This year the government was looking to make food banks more equitable for all food bans across the province.
A new program called Community Good Resource Supper program, reviewed all food banks applicants and distributed funds based on the number of people they have to serve.
Many food banks that relied on higher funding are wondering where they will find the extra funds they need. (Matthew Garand/CBC)
"Funding was allocated to each applicant based on New Brunswick's food insecurity statistics, the Food Banks Canada Hunger Count, and additional information provided by each food bank to demonstrate their need," said Anne Mooers, communications officer for the department of Social Development.
In 2017, a new program called the Community Food Resource Support Program was introduced, and an evaluation committee was created to assess the applications.
This funding redesign was an effort "to ensure that funding is available to all eligible food banks in New Brunswick and that it will respond to the individual circumstances of food banks on an annual basis," Mooers said.
"Every food bank received at least 90 per cent of the funding they requested," she said.
Laurie Stewart of New Brunswick Association of Food Banks said there are about 59 food banks in the province.
He said this is the best course of action to make sure the government funds distributed benefits everyone.
"It's now a little more fair and equitable system one that treats each food bank according to the numbers they serve," Stewart said.
"It gives some of the smaller food banks that weren't getting any money, now get a bit of a money, so it's more fair," he said.
First time for some
For newer food banks, the new distribution model was a necessary change.
Albertine LeBlanc, founder and president of Greater Blackville Resource Centre said the small amount of money she received this year helps relieve the stress of running a food bank on very little.
"Everything we do is fundraising," she said about the volunteer-only organization.
The new program has seen smaller food banks get more money. (CBC)
LeBlanc said the food program received official charity status in 2013, but it wasn't until last year that it received only $2,500.
This year, she's received a spike in government funding of $10,000.
"There are few of us out there that don't have a whole lot to work with," she said.
LeBlanc said now she's able to focus her energy towards other important areas, like the community food kitchen that serves up to 50 families.
She said other organizations are excited about the new funding changes.
"I can tell you Grand Manan is thrilled because they got ten thousand dollars for the first time ever."
LeBlanc explained all the food banks in the province receive food from the New Brunswick Food Bank Association.
"However, I do not have money to buy food to add to my grocery list like some do," she said.
"I'm there to serve the people that are hungry, I am not there to make a paycheque."
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/potashcorp-closure-charities-1.3411635
Sussex-area charities fear impact of Potash mine closure
PotashCorp said it will establish $5M fund to support local organizations, business, employee support
Organizations in southern New Brunswick that depended on donations from Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan say they're bracing for the impact of the indefinite shutdown of the Picadilly mine.
Lois King, the administrator of the Sussex Sharing Club, says PotashCorp has supported the food bank "tremendously" with corporate food drives and donations — including two cheques for $50,000 — since it opened the Picadilly mine two years ago.
- Potash mine closure greeted with dread in Sussex
- PotashCorp mine closure will have widespread economic impact
That allowed the non-profit group to pay off its 20-year mortgage in 17 months.
"They really want to help children in particular," said King.
"I notice they really care about the community they live in, and they're going to be greatly missed."
Alfie Smith, a Sussex Sharing Club board member, says the corporate support from PotashCorp put the group "on an even keel."
Smith says the money saved in mortgage costs went to expanding services.
"Now we have a program at the elementary schools, that money can now go to supporting hot lunch meals for each of those children, five days a week," said Smith.
"That is costing us in the area of $20,000 to $25,000 a year, so the money we used to put on the mortgage is able to be freed up to actually feed the children their hot meals."
Potential increase at food bank
King says the timing of the closure is concerning. The group was already preparing for an increase in clients with many young families moving back from Alberta.
"A lot of people are moving from out west because it's not working out for them … now the mine's going, it's not going to be good."
The Sussex Sharing Club helps 250 families in the area.
On Tuesday, PotashCorp said it would establish a $5-million fund to:
- Help employees with job transition assistance, including skills training and education support.
- Provide financial support to local business.
- Support local charities.
Alaina Lockhart, the Liberal MP for the riding of Fundy Royal, said she spoke to a PotashCorp representative on Tuesday about the community fund.
"They've been very generous to the town and surrounding areas," Lockhart said.
Liberal
MP Alaina Lockhart said she met federal Natural Resources Minister Jim
Carr and plans to meet with Government House Leader Dominic LeBlanc
about ways to help Sussex cope with the potash mine closure. (CBC)
Lockhart met with Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr on Tuesday, and was planning to meet with Government House Leader Dominic LeBlanc on Wednesday, to talk about how the town could be assisted on a federal level.
She says it's important to focus on the workers' career transition.
"The training and support we could provide through the EI system, that's certainly not a long-term plan and i think it's really important to look at those relationships we are forging with all three levels of government," Lockhart said.
"We're going to need to work together on this and look for opportunities as we have been doing, but this brings an acute focus in this area to look for opportunities for people."
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/food-banks-see-increase-in-demand-1.1154703
Food banks see increase in demand
Immigration rules, power costs cited as factors
Some New Brunswick food bank administrators say they've seen a substantial increase in the number of families seeking help this year and they believe the reasons range from immigration rules to rising costs.
The food bank in Woodstock, Volunteer Family Services Inc., is seeing 15 to 17 new families each month, said Sandra Olmstead.
Many of them are from other countries such as Germany, England and the Netherlands and have come to the region to work in the trucking industry, she said.
Although they are given a living allowance, it's often not enough to keep them going, said Olmstead.
"And what we're finding is that because of the way that the immigration works, they are given work permits to work within just one industry and within one company. So if you're brought over here as a truck driver, with one company, you can only drive trucks for that company."
Any change requires changing their work visa, which takes a long time, said Olmstead.
Power bills on the rise
The number of families from the McAdam and Harvey area using the Lakeland Resource Centre's food bank has jumped about 50 per cent over last year to 32, said Crissy Soucy.
She said she believes one of the main factors behind the increase is the rising cost of power bills.
In order to avoid social assistance clients having their power cut off if they fall behind on their bill, the Department of Social Development sometimes sets aside a portion of their cheque, "which leaves them with very minimal money given to them at the first of the month," said Soucy.
"And they have to rely on the food banks to get them through until the family allowance comes. And there's just not enough to go around," she said.
"So if their cheque was $850, they take $400 off and it leaves them with $450 to do them. And that means paying the rent, paying their phone bill, paying their whatever they have. And then they have to wait for family allowance to come, probably to pay more bills."
Soucy said the food bank has been able to meet the needs of families in the McAdam and Harvey area for the most part, with the help of Food Banks Canada and the New Brunswick Association of Food Banks.
But it does occasionally call local clergy members to ask their congregations for helps, he said.
The most difficult period is between November and April, said Soucy.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/sussex-food-bank-sees-shortage-1.1252057
Sussex food bank sees shortage
Donations to the Sussex Sharing Club have dried up and the reserve funds are also getting thin, according to those working at the food bank.
The food bank only has enough food for one more month, according to a director.
Alfie Smith, the president of the Sussex Sharing Club's board of directors, says the organizing has been routinely spending upwards of $2,000 on meats, milk, eggs and cereal to meet the growing demand.
"Now we're getting to a point where not only those purchases have to be made, but also we're going to have to look at purchasing canned goods and everything else that's needed," he said.
A year ago, an average of 90 families came each month to the food bank's doors, according to Smith.
Now he says that's grown to around 130 families, and Sussex is no different from other communities struggling with increases in the cost of electricity, rent and food.
"A lot of people look at Sussex as being a very prosperous area, but we still have a lot of the working poor that we’re serving, and a lot of single people that are hurting quite badly."
The food bank is most in need of canned goods and dried pasta, as well as monetary donations, he said.
---------- Original message ----------
From: "Stewart, Jake - M.P." <jake.stewart@parl.gc.ca>
Date: Thu, 9 Jun 2022 19:28:49 +0000
Subject: Automatic reply: Hey Ernie Steeves Why is it that I am not
surprised that nobody will discuss my Old Age Pension and Health Care
records???
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.
Hello,
Thank you for your correspondence. This is to acknowledge that our
office has received your email and we are working on your request.
If you are a constituent and require immediate assistance, please call
our office at 506-778-8448 and a member of our staff will be happy to
assist you.
Thank you and have a great day,
Office of MP Jake Stewart
Shadow Minister for National Revenue
Miramichi-Grand Lake
------------------------------
Bonjour,
Merci pour votre message. Ceci est pour vous aviser que nous avons
reçu votre courriel et que nous travaillons sur votre demande.
Si vous êtes un électeur de notre circonscription et que vous avez
besoin d'assistance immédiate, s'il-vous-plaît veuillez téléphoner
notre bureau au 506-778-8448 et un membre de notre équipe se fera
plaisir de vous servir.
Merci et bonne journée,
Jake Stewart, député
Ministre fantôme du Revenu National
Miramichi-Grand Lake
---------- Original message -----------
From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.
Date: Thu, 9 Jun 2022 16:28:42 -0300
Subject: Hey Ernie Steeves Why is it that I am not surprised that
nobody will discuss my Old Age Pension and Health Care records???
To: Ernie.Steeves@gnb.ca, wwwfin@gnb.ca, .Yves.Léger@gnb.ca,
Kimberley.Barker@gnb.ca, Mark.McKelvie@gnb.ca, Melanie.Madore2@gnb.ca,
dr.andrew.salmon@gnb.ca, Paige.Paulsen@gnb.ca,
Dorothy.Shephard@gnb.ca, Jason.Sully@gnb.ca, heidi.liston@gnb.ca,
Valerie.Kilfoil@gnb.ca, dominic.leblanc@parl.gc.ca,
dominic.cardy@gnb.ca, "jake.stewart" <jake.stewart@parl.gc.ca>,
oldmaison <oldmaison@yahoo.com>, "andrea.anderson-mason"
<andrea.anderson-mason@gnb.ca>
"kris.austin" <kris.austin@gnb.ca>, "Mark.Blakely"
<Mark.Blakely@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "Mike.Comeau" <Mike.Comeau@gnb.ca>,
"Mitton, Megan (LEG)" <megan.mitton@gnb.ca>, "michelle.conroy"
<michelle.conroy@gnb.ca>, "robert.gauvin" <robert.gauvin@gnb.ca>,
andrewjdouglas <andrewjdouglas@gmail.com>, "Arseneau, Kevin (LEG)"
<kevin.a.arseneau@gnb.ca>, "robert.mckee" <robert.mckee@gnb.ca>,
"Richard.Bragdon" <Richard.Bragdon@parl.gc.ca>, "Robert. Jones"
<Robert.Jones@cbc.ca>, "Roger.L.Melanson" <roger.l.melanson@gnb.ca>
Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
https://legnb.ca/en/members/
Hon. Ernie Steeves
Minister of Finance and Treasury Board
Progressive Conservative Party
Moncton Northwest
(506) 453-2451 Ernie.Steeves@gnb.ca
Related
Members Expense Reports
Public Disclosures
Ernie Steeves was born in Fredericton, New Brunswick on February 12th,
1961. His family moved to the Moncton area in 1965 where he has lived
most of his life and is now raising his son Aidan.
Minister Steeves was first elected in September 2014 as the
Progressive Conservative MLA representing Moncton Northwest. He served
as critic for Social Development, Seniors and Long Term Care. He was
also a Member of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, the
Standing Committee on Estimates and Fiscal Policy and the Standing
Committee on Social Policy.
Since 2018 Minister Steeves has served as the Minister of Finance and
Treasury Board. He has also served as Minister responsible for NB
Liquor, Cannabis NB, Atlantic Lottery Corporation, Financial and
Consumer Services Commission, and the government of New Brunswick’s
Human Resources.
Minister Steeves was a 32 year veteran of radio broadcasting and
business owner in Moncton.
He is very community minded and has served in a variety of roles,
including honorary chair for the Ride for Dad for prostate cancer. He
has volunteered at the Karing Kitchen, Moncton Headstart, the Friends
of the Moncton Hospital, and, as a cancer survivor, the Canadian
Cancer Society. He sat on the Board of Directors for the Greater
Moncton Football Association and the Board of Directors for Football
New Brunswick.
Constituency Office
Mainline Phone (506) 383-2164
General Email Ernie.Steeves@gnb.ca
Address 1966 Mountain Road
Moncton
E1G 1A9
https://www.cbc.ca/news/
New inflation relief program targets 'most vulnerable' in New Brunswick
Money will go to people already receiving low-income or housing benefits
Jacques Poitras · CBC News · Posted: Jun 01, 2022 8:00 AM AT
A $20 million program aimed at helping New Brunswickers cope with
increasing fuel and food prices was announced Wednesday. (Robert
Jones/CBC)
The Higgs government says it will distribute a one-time payment to
low-income New Brunswickers to help them deal with soaring gasoline
and grocery bills.
The Emergency Fuel and Food Benefit will see low-income individuals
receive $225 and low-income families, including seniors, receive $450.
More than 75,000 people are eligible, and the money will go to people
already receiving low-income or housing benefits from the Department
of Social Development, the province said in a news release.
"We wanted to get it to a targeted group, a group we could roll it out
quickly to, and they could feel the benefit right now, over this time
period," Premier Blaine Higgs told reporters.
Premier Blaine Higgs said the program will be targeted 'to the most
vulnerable people.' (Ed Hunter/CBC)
The total cost of the program will be $20 million, and the money will
go out this month, the premier said.
The release doesn't say when the money will be distributed, but Higgs
said Tuesday that the program would get money out "quickly," sometime
this month.
That represents a reversal for Higgs.
Earlier this spring, he suggested that he'd have to wait until the
third quarter of the fiscal year to see sales tax revenues and decide
if a rebate or some other form of relief was affordable, or if people
were cutting back enough on gas to deprive the province of a tax
windfall.
But Wednesday, the premier said it appears gas consumption is
remaining steady, "and that gave us some confidence that we'd have
some money that we could put into the system."
Opposition says not enough
The benefit was immediately denounced as not enough to address the
high cost of living, particularly for New Brunswickers not on social
assistance but who are still struggling because of soaring costs.
"They're still at a threshold where it's very difficult," said
Opposition Liberal Leader Roger Melanson, who repeated his call for a
cut to the provincial gas tax.
Green Party Leader David Coon questioned why the Higgs government
keeps implementing one-off, short-term assistance programs like the
cap on rent increases, which applies for this year only.
"What is it with this one-time-only government?" he said.
The Greens have proposed a higher harmonized sales tax rebate for
people who earn minimum wage or who are considered the working poor.
They also wants Higgs to move up a minimum wage increase scheduled for
this fall.
Janelle LeBlanc, the provincial co-ordinator for the Common Front for
Social Justice, said the government must implement longer-term
solutions to poverty, including a higher minimum wage, higher social
assistance benefits and free public transit.
"The measures announced today are important and necessary for existing
clients of Social Development. However, it does exclude many people
living in poverty, and low-income workers. We would have liked to see
more permanent solutions."
Province to reconsider in fall
Higgs said that while the program is a one-time payment, his
government would look at more assistance if high inflation persists
into the fall.
He also wouldn't rule out broadening the program beyond social
assistance recipients if that becomes necessary.
"I don't rule out some sort of program in that case," he said.
But he added that the province itself is facing $100 million in higher
costs because of inflation, and N.B. Power could take a similar hit.
N.B. takes biggest jump in personal insolvencies in March
Business insolvencies start to creep up as pandemic relief programs end
Higgs said that means it's too early to say if the province will be
able to run a budget surplus as projected this year.
"We didn't plan on this when we put a budget together," he said. "Our
goal is not to amass a surplus. Our goal is ensure that if we can put
money into the pockets of people who need it in these times of
uncertainty, we can do it sustainably and prudently."
The government is also giving food banks in the province an additional
$1 million on top of an earlier $1 million grant this spring.
The government is facing two byelections in the Miramichi area on June 20.
Last week, a new poll by Narrative Research said 52 per cent of
respondents were dissatisfied with the government's performance
compared to 40 per cent who were satisfied.
The current maximum price per litre of regular gasoline is $2.08 in
New Brunswick, up from $1.44 at the start of the year.
The province's news release points out that it has raised social
assistance rates and the minimum wage, has cut income taxes, has
rent-cap legislation before the legislature and is lowering child care
costs effective this month as part of a federal-provincial agreement.
The release does not mention people on disability benefits being
eligible for the program.
"I would say so," Higgs told reporters when asked if they were
included, though he later said that "it would be my intent that would
apply as well."
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jacques Poitras
Provincial Affairs reporter
Jacques Poitras has been CBC's provincial affairs reporter in New
Brunswick since 2000. Raised in Moncton, he also produces the CBC
political podcast Spin Reduxit.
CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices|
https://www2.gnb.ca/content/
2022 New Brunswick Low-Income Seniors' Benefit
To assist low-income seniors in New Brunswick, the government offers
an annual benefit to qualifying applicants. Applications for the 2022
Low-income Seniors' Benefit will be available on April 1.
IMPORTANT: As a result of COVID-19, and to support physical distancing
measures, eligible New Brunswickers are strongly encouraged to apply
online, or print the application, complete it and mail it to Finance
and Treasury Board, Revenue Administration Division, PO Box 1900,
Fredericton, N.B., E3B 5G4.
APPLICATION FORM
Application forms are also available at Service New Brunswick centres.
The application deadline is Dec. 31, 2022.
ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible for the $400 benefit, a person must have been a
resident of New Brunswick on Dec. 31, 2021, and have received one of
the following federal benefits under the Old Age Security Act:
Guaranteed Income Supplement (65 years or older)
Allowance for Survivor Program (between 60 and 64 years old)
Allowance Program (between 60 and 64 years old)
Please note: Persons in receipt of a Federal allowance who are under
the age of 60 do not qualify for this benefit.
Where both spouses receive the GIS and reside in the same household,
only one $400.00 benefit will be granted. However, where spouses live
separately (for example, one residing in a nursing home), both will be
eligible for the benefit.
INQUIRIES
More information about the program, and on how to apply, is available
from Finance and Treasury Board, Revenue Administration Division, at
1-800-669-7070.
INQUIRIES RELATING TO FEDERAL BENEFITS
If you do not currently receive the GIS or one of the other federal
benefits and would like more information, please contact the federal
Department of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada at:
1-800-277-9914 for service in English, or 1-800-277-9915 for service in French.
Application/Declaration for
Low-Income Seniors’ Benefit
2022
Application deadline date: December 31, 2022
The personal information on this form is being collected under the
authority of the New Brunswick Income Tax Act and will be used for the
purposes of determining eligibility under the Low-Income Seniors’
Benefit, and for necessary administration of this Program. If you have
any questions regarding the collection and use of this information,
please contact the Manager Tax Accounting, Finance and Treasury Board,
P. O. Box 1900, Fredericton, NB E3B 5G4. Phone: 1-800-669-7070 or
e‐mail wwwfin@gnb.ca.
Income Tax Return Preparation - Through the Community Volunteer Income
Tax Program (CVITP), community organizations host free tax preparation
clinics and arrange for volunteers to prepare income tax and benefit
returns for eligible individuals who have a modest income and a simple
tax situation. To determine whether you are eligible and to view a tax
preparation clinic in your area, please go to the following website:
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CALL 1-800-669-7070
https://www.cbc.ca/news/
Province's top doctor returns 'recharged,' addresses rumours
Dr. Jennifer Russell says she was on vacation and in a car accident
that required physiotherapy
Bobbi-Jean MacKinnon · CBC News · Posted: Jun 07, 2022 7:06 PM AT
Dr. Jennifer Russell, the province's chief medical officer of health,
says she feels 'recharged' and 're-energized' after her time off.
(Government of New Brunswick)
New Brunswick's top doctor says she has heard the rumours about her
recent absence from work and seen the speculative posts on social
media, and most of them are untrue.
Dr. Jennifer Russell, the chief medical officer of health, hasn't left
her position over stress of managing COVID-19 in the province. She
says she's back on the job after a much-needed vacation.
"The pandemic has been a challenging time for everyone. … And
definitely our team has worked really hard throughout the pandemic,"
she said in an interview Tuesday.
"So after two very busy years, when the province lifted its
restrictions, I decided it was a good time for me to take some time
off."
Russell acknowledged there are "lots of rumours about what led to that
decision and what exactly [she] was doing while [she] was off."
"Basically I did need a vacation, there's no question," she said.
It was good to "disconnect and decompress."
But then she was in a car accident. She hit a deer and totalled her car.
"I'm still in physio, but I'm doing much better," she said.
"It's been good to have that time to be able to look after my health, for sure."
Sold house
It's true Russell sold her house in Fredericton while she was off, but
she says she simply decided to "downsize a bit early."
"My oldest has already gone off to university and my youngest is about
to. So it was a good time with the market being what it was for me to
do that."
She did not work on the new album released last Friday by the
blues/funk band for which she plays the saxophone, The Tortoise, The
Hare & The Millionaire, she said.
"No, I leave that to the real professionals who do it for a living."
N.B. reports decrease in COVID-19 deaths, increase in hospitalizations
Asked about the criticisms of her decision to step away from her post
as she did, Russell maintains it was the right move.
"I definitely feel like my job to look after people in New Brunswick
was so important that I did need to step away so I could look after
myself, so I can look after other people."
She is doing "very, very well" now, she said.
"I feel definitely recharged. I hit the reset button and re-energized
and back at the helm."
Russell thanked acting deputy chief medical officer of health Dr. Yves
Léger and the rest of the Public Health team for their hard work and
dedication to New Brunswickers.
"I definitely felt very comfortable leaving the Office of the Chief
Medical Officer of Health in such good hands."
Health Minister Dorothy Shephard said it's good to have Russell back.
"Well, sure. I mean, you know, we're a team and we all work together," she said.
"I've always maintained that Dr. Russell is our chief medical officer
of health, but she works with the team and when she's not available,
she has a team who backs her up."
CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
---------- Original message ----------
From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.
Date: Thu, 9 Jun 2022 15:11:19 -0300
Subject: Attn Minister Karina Gould I just called about my missing Old
Age Pension records and nobody cared Correct??
To: "Gould, Karina - M.P." <Karina.Gould@parl.gc.ca>,
EDSC.MIN.FEDS-FCSD.MIN.ESDC@
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca, "Diane.Lebouthillier"
<Diane.Lebouthillier@cra-arc.
<Ross.Wetmore@gnb.ca>, "rob.moore" <rob.moore@parl.gc.ca>,
"John.Williamson" <John.Williamson@parl.gc.ca>
Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>,
"fin.minfinance-financemin.
<fin.minfinance-financemin.
<pm@pm.gc.ca>, "Katie.Telford" <Katie.Telford@pmo-cpm.gc.ca>,
"Candice.Bergen" <Candice.Bergen@parl.gc.ca>, "pierre.poilievre"
<pierre.poilievre@parl.gc.ca>, "blaine.higgs" <blaine.higgs@gnb.ca>
https://davidraymondamos3.
Thursday, 9 June 2022
Attn Minister Karina Gould I just called about my missing Old Age
Pension records and nobody cared Correct??
https://pm.gc.ca/en/mandate-
December 16, 2021
Office of the Prime Minister
Dear Minister Gould:
Thank you for agreeing to serve Canadians as Minister of Families,
Children and Social Development.
From the beginning of this pandemic, Canadians have faced a
once-in-a-century challenge. And through it all, from coast to coast
to coast, people have met the moment. When it mattered most, Canadians
adapted, helped one another, and stayed true to our values of
compassion, courage and determination. That is what has defined our
path through this pandemic so far. And that is what will pave our way
forward.
During a difficult time, Canadians made a democratic choice. They
entrusted us to finish the fight against COVID-19 and support the
recovery of a strong middle class. At the same time, they also gave us
clear direction: to take bold, concrete action to build a healthier,
more resilient future. That is what Canadians have asked us to do and
it is exactly what our Government is ready to deliver. We will work to
build that brighter future through continued collaboration,
engagement, and the use of science and evidence-based decision-making.
With an unwavering focus on delivering results, we will work
constructively with Parliamentarians and maintain our strong
partnerships with provincial, territorial and municipal governments
and Indigenous partners. This decade has had an incredibly difficult
start, but this is the moment to rebuild a more resilient, inclusive
and stronger country for everyone.
The science is clear. Canadians have been clear. We must not only
continue taking real climate action, we must also move faster and go
further. As Canadians are increasingly experiencing across the
country, climate change is an existential threat. Building a cleaner,
greener future will require a sustained and collaborative effort from
all of us. As Minister, I expect you to seek opportunities within your
portfolio to support our whole-of-government effort to reduce
emissions, create clean jobs and address the climate-related
challenges communities are already facing.
This year, Canadians were horrified by the discovery of unmarked
graves and burial sites near former residential schools. These
discoveries underscore that we must move faster on the path of
reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples. We know
that reconciliation cannot come without truth and our Government will
continue to invest in that truth. As Ministers, each of us has a duty
to further this work, both collectively and as individuals.
Consequently, I am directing every Minister to implement the United
Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and to work in
partnership with Indigenous Peoples to advance their rights.
We must continue to address the profound systemic inequities and
disparities that remain present in the core fabric of our society,
including our core institutions. To this effect, it is essential that
Canadians in every region of the country see themselves reflected in
our Government’s priorities and our work. As Minister, I expect you to
include and collaborate with various communities, and actively seek
out and incorporate in your work, the diverse views of Canadians. This
includes women, Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized Canadians,
newcomers, faith-based communities, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2
Canadians, and, in both official languages.
Across our work, we remain committed to ensuring that public policies
are informed and developed through an intersectional lens, including
applying frameworks such as Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus) and
the quality of life indicators in decision-making.
Canadians continue to rely on journalists and journalism for accurate
and timely news. I expect you to maintain professional and respectful
relationships with journalists to ensure that Canadians are well
informed and have the information they need to keep themselves and
their families safe.
Throughout the course of the pandemic, Canadians and their governments
have adapted to new realities. Governments must draw on lessons
learned from the pandemic to further adapt and develop more agile and
effective ways to serve Canadians. To this end, I expect all Ministers
to evaluate ways we can update our practices to ensure our Government
continues to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.
The success of this Parliament will require Parliamentarians, both in
the House of Commons and the Senate, to work together across all
parties to get big things done for Canadians. I expect you to maintain
constructive relationships with your Opposition Critics and coordinate
any legislation with the Leader of the Government in the House of
Commons. As Minister, you are accountable to Parliament both
individually, for your style of leadership and the performance of your
responsibilities, and collectively, in support of our Ministry and
decisions taken by Cabinet. Open and Accountable Government sets out
these core principles and the standards of conduct expected of you and
your office. I expect you to familiarize yourself with this document,
which outlines my expectations for each member of the Ministry.
Our platform lays out an ambitious agenda. While finishing the fight
against the pandemic must remain our central focus, we must continue
building a strong middle class and work toward a better future where
everyone has a real and fair chance at success and no one is left
behind.
As Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, your
immediate priority is to build a Canada-wide Early Learning and Child
Care system that reduces parent fees, creates more high-quality
spaces, recruits and retains skilled educators, and ensures all kids
get off to the best possible start. At the same time, you will work
with Indigenous partners to implement a culturally appropriate
Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care system. You will also focus
on implementing the Community Services Recovery Fund to help charities
and non-profits adapt and modernize as well as ensure Service Canada
provides reliable and accessible services to Canadians, regardless of
where they live.
To realize these objectives, I ask that you achieve results for
Canadians by delivering the following commitments.
Supported by the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth,
continue advancing the creation and sustainability of a Canada-wide
Early Learning and Child Care system, including:
Concluding negotiations with remaining provinces and
territories and implementing agreements:
Reducing fees for regulated child care by 50 per cent on
average by the end of 2022 everywhere outside of Quebec,
Reducing regulated child care fees to $10 a day on average
by the end of fiscal year 2025-2026 everywhere outside of Quebec, and
Building 250,000 new high-quality child care spaces and
hiring 40,000 more early childhood educators by the end of fiscal year
2025-2026;
Introducing federal child care legislation to strengthen and
protect a high-quality Canada-wide child care system;
Establishing a National Advisory Council on Early Learning and
Child Care;
Continuing to advance work with provinces and territories to
reduce fees for families for before and after school care; and
Ensuring the Federal Secretariat on Early Learning and Child
Care is fully resourced and operational by early 2023.
Work with Indigenous partners to ensure that Indigenous children
have access to a culturally appropriate Indigenous Early Learning and
Child Care system that meets the needs of Indigenous families wherever
they live, including ensuring more Indigenous families have access to
high-quality programming, creating 3,300 new child care spaces, and
continuing to support before and after school care for First Nations
children on reserve.
Advance the implementation of the Community Services Recovery Fund
to help charities and non-profits adapt and modernize as they recover
from the pandemic.
Continue advancing the Social Innovation and Social Finance
strategy, including fully implementing the Social Finance Fund and
launching the Social Innovation Advisory Council.
Through the delivery of Canada’s Poverty Reduction Strategy and
other measures, continue leading implementation of the 2030 Agenda for
Sustainable Development adopted by the United Nations.
Work with the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and with
provinces, territories, municipalities, Indigenous partners and
stakeholders to develop a National School Food Policy and to work
toward a national school nutritious meal program.
Work with the Minister of Seniors to provide seniors with a single
point of access to a wide range of government services and benefits.
As the Minister responsible for Service Canada, lead the
development and implementation of modern, resilient, secure and
reliable services and benefit delivery systems for Canadians and
ensure those services and benefits reach all Canadians regardless of
where they live.
Work with the Minister of National Revenue toward the
implementation of a real-time e-payroll system, and ensure that
businesses of all sizes benefit from this work.
Enhance the capacity and effectiveness of Black-led and
Black-serving organizations through the continued implementation of
the Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative. You will be
supported in this work by the Minister of Housing and Diversity and
Inclusion.
Work with the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth to
ensure the voices and needs of children are represented in our
Government’s agenda, as we work to make Canada the best place to grow
up.
Work with the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth and
the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions to ensure mental health
supports are accessible to children and youth as they recover from the
impact of the pandemic.
As Minister, you are also responsible for actively engaging with your
Cabinet and Caucus colleagues. As we deliver on our platform
commitments, it will be important that members of the Ministry
continue to collaborate and work constructively to support rigorous
and productive Cabinet decision-making. I expect you to support your
colleagues in delivering their commitments, leveraging the expertise
of your department and your own lived experiences.
To best achieve results for Canadians, Ministers must be rigorous and
coordinated in our approach to implementation. I would therefore ask
that you return to me with a proposed approach for the delivery of
your mandate commitments, including priorities for early
implementation. Furthermore, to ensure we are accountable for our
work, I will be asking you to publicly report to me, and all
Canadians, on your progress toward these commitments on a regular
basis.
As we have been reminded throughout the pandemic, adapting to change
is not only something government should do, it is something government
must do. As you work to fulfil our commitments, I expect you to
actively consider new ideas and issues as they emerge, whether through
public engagement, your work with Parliamentarians or advice from the
public service. I also expect you to work with your Deputy Minister to
assess priorities on a continual basis as we build a better future for
all Canadians. In addition to achieving results, you are responsible
for overseeing the work of your department and ensuring the effective
operation of your portfolio.
As you staff your office and implement outreach and recruitment
strategies for federally appointed leadership positions and boards, I
ask that you uphold the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion.
This helps ensure that federal workplaces are dynamic and reflective
of the Canadians we serve. You will also ensure your Minister’s office
and portfolio are reflective of our commitment to healthy and safe
workplaces.
Canadians expect us to work hard, speak truthfully and be committed to
advancing their interests and aspirations. When we make mistakes – as
we all will – Canadians expect us to acknowledge them, and most
importantly, to learn from them.
I know I can count on you to fulfill the important responsibilities
entrusted in you, and to turn to me, and the Deputy Prime Minister,
early and often to support you in your role as Minister.
Sincerely,
Prime Minister of Canada signature
Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, P.C., M.P.
Prime Minister of Canada
On 2/20/22, Gould, Karina - M.P. <Karina.Gould@parl.gc.ca> wrote:
>
>
> Thank you for reaching out to the office of the Honourable Karina Gould
> Member of Parliament for Burlington.
>
> Please rest assured that your message will be brought to the attention of MP
> Gould and we will make every effort to respond promptly. Correspondence
> received from residents of Burlington are reviewed and actioned as soon as
> possible. If you have not already included your address and postal code,
> please respond to this email with that information.
>
> Please note this is a community office, due to the high volume of
> correspondence we receive our priority is to respond to inquiries from
> Burlington Residents.
>
> If you are not a local resident, please contact your MP’s office for
> assistance. You can enter your postal code here
> https://www.ourcommons.ca/
> representative is.
>
> For matters related to the Ministry of Families Children and Social
> Development and Service Canada, or to discuss issues relevant to MP Gould’s
> role as the Minister of Families Children and Social Development, please
> contact
> EDSC.MIN.FEDS-FCSD.MIN.ESDC@
>
> Our constituency office is taking every precautionary measure to prevent the
> spread of COVID-19 and ask constituents to follow the most up to date
> information from public health.
>
>
>
> To ensure the safety of our community and protect our most vulnerable
> constituents, our office will be closed to walk-in visits until further
> notice.
>
>
>
> Our office will continue to operate Monday to Friday from 9:30 am to 4:30
> pm. by phone, email, and on a by-appointment basis for urgent cases.
>
>
>
> Please reach out to us at 905-639-5757 or by email at
> karina.gould@parl.gc.ca<
>
>
>
> In case of an emergency or urgent situations you can also contact the
> following services:
>
>
>
> For Emergencies - 911
>
> Halton Region - 311
>
> Service Canada - 1 800 622 6232
>
> CPP / OAS - 1 800 277-9914
>
> Employment Insurance - 1 800 206 7218
>
> CRA - 1-800 959 8281
>
> Immigration - 1 888 242 2100
>
> Passport Canada - 1 800 567 6868
>
> Halton Regional Police - 905-825-4777
>
>
>
> Please note all incoming messages are treated confidentially.
>
>
>
> We will get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you for your cooperation
> and patience.
>
>
No comments:
Post a Comment