Current regulations allow for single social assistance recipients to make $150 a month, but every dollar after that is subject to have 70 cents “clawed back”.
This issue is at the forefront of the Moncton chapter of Common Front for Social Justice for 2021, and on Monday night it was brought to Moncton City Council.
A presentation detailed the unjust standards that recipients of welfare face and the barriers that prevent them from no longer requiring social assistance.
In an attempt to see change, Robert MacKay of the Common Front led the conversation that asked for the $150 limit to be raised to $500.
“That’s only going to bring their income closer to the poverty line,” said MacKay.
He believes that it will also aid from an economic standpoint. Just 1,236 transitional social assistance recipients reported working in 2020, a statistic he says would rise if people were not concerned about losing money.
Councillor Paul Pellerin noted that although minimally, increasing the wage would allow for more disposable income that tends to go into the local economy.
Although the Municipal government does not have jurisdiction, MacKay sought the support of council members to help bring the issue to a higher level of government.
Councillor Charles Leger suggested the possibility of a letter to the provincial government signed by the council stating the need for change.
While Mayor Dawn Arnold did not oppose the idea, she stated that the next steps be brought to the Committee on Poverty and Social Inclusion.
