Human Resources committee  I say congratulations to Quebec, which is so strong and so exemplary. As you are saying, there was such broad mobilization that the government could not ignore it. I believe New Brunswick still has a long way to go before reaching that level of mobilization. The task is enormous.

Human Resources committee  At the Common Front for Social Justice of New Brunswick, we are proactive in this area. For example, last week, we gathered together between 12 and 15 non-profit organizations that truly believe that this poverty reduction plan must have teeth. We are awaiting all of their reacti

Human Resources committee  It's been in effect since October 16. We've had hearings in 14 regions in New Brunswick. There's been a lot of public participation. I do have a few questions. The people who will be deciding what the strategy is, really, are chosen by politicians, so that kind of puts limitati

Human Resources committee  I think that Moncton is a success story. You're quite right. When all of the activity around rail crumble, with CN and so forth, there was a planned effort, a group effort, to rebound. This has really made a difference. I also think that being a bilingual city and having a strong

Human Resources committee  I'd like to comment on the disability question from the New Brunswick point of view. We have a lot of people who are severely handicapped, yet our province denies them that label. I don't know how this could be changed, but it's hurting tremendously people who are in dire need. I

Human Resources committee  That's right. To be considered handicapped in New Brunswick, you have to be blind, deaf, mentally ill, or totally in a wheelchair. They're very, very strict. It's a three-person committee and there are no appeal processes. It really needs to be revamped.

Human Resources committee  I believe that politicians are elected to manage the common good, but what is sad is that it's not what they're always doing. As activists, we spend so much energy trying to convince the people, because we know they will move only if the people are in agreement with some of the s

Human Resources committee  The six or seven points I mentioned are all important. I am trying to advocate for those people who are the poorest, who are at the buttom of the ladder. I view the minimum wage issue as very important. I know that the federal government has no authority to legislate in this are

Human Resources committee  There have been several types, for example coop housing. As a matter of fact, a few buildings opened up very recently. Private non-profit corporations are also looking into this.

Human Resources committee  Poverty has a tremendous economic cost. The major cost is health. People who are poor see the doctor maybe 40% more often, they are not as productive, and they are not bringing in as much earnings. Therefore, there is less tax revenue. To increase the budget for health and not do

Human Resources committee  Yes, very much so.

Human Resources committee  My colleague, who is seated in the room, would be better able than me to answer your question.

Human Resources committee  What I can say is that there is a grave lack of child care services. Often, mothers who have a spouse tell me that as soon as they become pregnant, they put their child's name on a childcare waiting list, for fear of not being able to access quality service. Furthermore, the cost

Human Resources committee  I agree with Steve. I think it's a question of priorities.

Human Resources committee  That's okay. I'm comfortable in both. I have listened to researchers who went to about 20 countries to ask consumers if they would be willing to pay more taxes. Surprisingly, the majority said yes, provided they knew that the money would be used to reduce poverty. If presented a