Manitoba to maintain programs for low-income families

Anti-poverty groups in Manitoba are praising Premier Brian Pallister's governmentfor pledging to maintain programs for low-income families introduced under the previous NDP government.

"Manitoba's Campaign 2000 coalition members congratulate Manitoba's government and Minister Scott Fielding," said a news release issued by the Social Planning Council of Winnipeg.

The group, along with theCanadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, had expressed concerns the province would claw back programs like Rent Assist following the launch of the Canada Child Benefit (CCB), a new multi-billion-dollar federal program aimed at reducing child poverty.

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On Tuesday a spokesperson for Manitoba'sFamilies Minister said the provincewill not be cutting assistance to families on Employment and Income Assistance (EIA) despite the federalmoney flowing to some of those same families.

"We are pleased to confirm that there will be no 'claw back' to the [Canada Child Benefit or CCB] for families that receive EIA benefits or any other income supplement administered by the Department of Families, including Rent Assist, the Manitoba Child Benefit and 55 PLUS. These programs will not consider the CCB as part of their respective income tests and therefore Manitoba families will be able to fully benefit from the new CCB," said a spokesperson for MinisterFielding.

"We are aware that Manitoba faces many economic challenges," said Kate Kehler, executive director of the Social Planning Council of Winnipeg.

"By not clawing back Manitoba will allow families to build on what we do offer. This will ensure that the most in need get the most assistance possible," she said in a news release.

Roughly one in three children in Manitoba live in poverty, according to Campaign 2000, a national coalition that seeks to build support for the 1989 House of Commons resolution to end child poverty.

With the introduction of the CCB, 21,000 Manitoba children or just over half will be lifted above the low-income cut off.

"Manitoba's new government will continue to work together with all levels of government and community organizations across the province to reduce child poverty and ensure tax relief for those who need it most," said the Families Minister spokesperson.

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Astudy in Mayfound increasing funds to low-income mothers by$81.41 a month with autonomy of how to spend it,resulted in fewer pre-mature births, higher birth weights and healthier babies overall, saidSid Frankel, association professor of social work at the University of Manitoba.

"Imagine what families could do with the maximum annual CCB of $6,400 for children under 6 and $5,400 for children aged 6-17,"Frankel said.

The CCBisexpected to cost $22.4 billion over fiveyears.

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