In New Brunswick, basic rates of income assistance for all beneficiaries and minimum wage are among the lowest in Canada.

Income assistance represents in the best case, 63% of the Low Income Cut-off (LICOs) calculated by Statistics Canada and in worst of the case, 20% of the LICOs. Given that the rates of income assistance have not been increased since 1997, it is urgent that a revision of these rates takes place and that they be indexed to the cost of living.

As well, a person working full-time with the minimum wage reaches only 76% of the LICO. After 52 weeks of works, the annual gross income is $12,896 whereas the LICO is $16,867. We believe that it is right for a person working full-time to live above the LICOs.

In this respect, we judge that the government of this province has the moral obligation to correct without delay this situation.

The undersigned requests, along with the N.B. Common Front for the Social Justice;
Ø that the government of New Brunswick considerably increase the rates of income assistance to reduce the gap between income and Low Income Cut-Offs and;
Ø that the government of New Brunswick increase the minimum wage quickly to reach the Low Income Cut-Offs.

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Please return the document at the following address:
N.B. Common Front for Social Justice, 96 Norwood Ave., #208, Moncton, N.B. E1C 6L9

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