The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Family Services and Housing Minister Christine Melnick has introduced proposed legislation which would make the province responsible for administering all income assistance in rural and northern Manitoba to help ensure services are consistently and effectively delivered throughout the province. "This legislation will improve the system, eliminate duplication, and provide benefits and employment supports in a more consistent and efficient manner," said Melnick. "I would like to thank the Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM) and its members for their assistance and co-operation in the development of this initiative and I am pleased an agreement was reached on arrangements which are satisfactory to all." The proposed Employment and Income Assistance Amendment Act would establish one system for income assistance throughout the province. The change to a one-tier system in rural and northern Manitoba was requested by the AMM after the province took over delivery of all income assistance in Winnipeg in 1999. Currently, in rural and northern Manitoba, municipalities administer income assistance for all non-disabled single persons, childless couples and two-parent families, while the province is responsible for all other persons in need, such as single parents and persons with a disability. The proposed one-tier system would provide all Manitobans with consistent benefits and uniform policies and programs, administered by staff specifically trained for this type of work. Municipal assistance recipients would also have access to provincial programs such as training and employment readiness programs. "We look forward to working further with the municipalities on these changes that will improve the system for all Manitobans," said the Intergovernmental Affairs and Trade Minister MaryAnn Mihychuk, during the annual meeting of the AMM in Brandon. "We are pleased to recognize the annual financial contribution that municipalities will continue to make to income assistance and their commitment to assisting the provincial program in finding meaningful employment for recipients, in their communities." "We are pleased, after two years of negotiations, that the province is moving ahead with the proposed amendment to take over the important work of administering income assistance," said Stuart Briese, president of the AMM. "Under the proposed change, the province and municipalities will be better able to provide the best possible service for people in need." The AMM represents all 199 municipalities across Manitoba. There are currently about 185 municipalities that deliver municipal assistance with the majority of recipients located in Brandon, Thompson and Swan River. Across rural and northern Manitoba, approximately 1,100 households are receiving municipal assistance.
