BILL NO. 353

(as introduced)

1st Session, 64th General Assembly
Nova Scotia
2 Charles III, 2023

 

Private Member's Bill

 

Social Safety Net Security Act

 

The Honourable Brendan Maguire
Halifax Atlantic

First Reading: October 18, 2023

Second Reading:

Third Reading:

 

An Act to Strengthen
Nova Scotia's Social Safety Net

WHEREAS the cost of living for Nova Scotians has risen steeply in the past year;

AND WHEREAS Nova Scotians on fixed incomes have seen the price of food, fuel and housing grow beyond their means;

AND WHEREAS Nova Scotia's social safety net must address the needs of our most economically vulnerable;

THEREFORE be it enacted by the Governor and Assembly as follows:

1 This Act may be cited as the Social Safety Net Security Act.

2 (1) The Minister of Health and Wellness shall increase the net annual income threshold for a person eligible to receive care under the Caregiver Benefit program by 30% on or before November 1, 2023.

(2) Subject to Section 9, the Minister of Health and Wellness shall increase the payment to caregivers under the Caregiver Benefit program by 30% on or before November 1, 2023.

3 Subject to Section 9, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing shall raise the total assessed value of a qualifying residential property under the Homeowner Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Programs by 30% on or before November 1, 2023.

4 Subject to Section 9, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing shall increase the total household income limit for homeowners to be eligible for funding under the Family Modest Housing Program by 30% on or before November 1, 2023.

5 (1) Subject to Section 9, the Minister of Service Nova Scotia shall increase the household income threshold for eligibility under the Heating Assistance Rebate Program by 30% on or before November 1, 2023.

(2) Subject to Section 9, the Minister of Service Nova Scotia shall increase the rebate payable under the Heating Assistance Rebate Program by 30% on or before November 1, 2023.

6 The Minister of Service Nova Scotia shall consult with the Salvation Army concerning increasing the household income threshold and maximum eligible assistance available under the Salvation Army's Home Energy Assistance Top-up Fund and provide such additional funds as are necessary to increase the maximum eligible assistance from $400 to $520.

7 (1) Subsection 21(1) of Chapter 27 of the Acts of 2000, the Employment Support and Income Assistance Act, is amended by

(a) adding "subject to subsection (1A)," immediately before "prescribing" in the first line of clause (c);

(b) adding "subject to subsection (2A)," immediately before "prescribing" in the first line of clause (d); and

(c) adding "subject to subsection (1A)," immediately before "providing" in the first line of clause (r).

(2) Section 21 of Chapter 27 is further amended by adding immediately after subsection (1) the following subsections:

(1A) When making regulations prescribing the standards for assistance to be granted and providing supplementary assistance, in addition to any maximum of assistance to be provided in the regulations and prescribing maximum amounts for supplementary assistance, the Governor in Council shall increase the threshold for program eligibility by 30% effective November 1, 2023.

(2A) When making regulations prescribing the maximum rates of assistance that may be granted, the Governor in Council shall increase the current rates by 30% effective November 1, 2023.

8 (1) Clause 80(1)(c) of Chapter 217 of the Revised Statutes, 1989, the Income Tax Act, as enacted by Chapter 4 of the Acts of 2000 and amended by Chapter 3 of the Acts of 2010, is further amended by adding "subject to subsection (1A)," immediately before "prescribing" in the first line of clause (c).

(2) Section 80 of Chapter 217, as enacted by Chapter 4 of the Acts of 2000, is amended by adding immediately after subsection (1) the following subsection:

(1A) When making regulations prescribing the eligibility criteria and payment amounts for the Nova Scotia Child Benefit Program, the Governor in Council shall raise the eligibility criteria and increase the payment amounts by 30% effective November 1, 2023.

9 The money required for the purpose of this Act shall be paid out of money appropriated for that purpose by the Legislature and, for greater certainty, no deduction may be made pursuant to this Act until the money is appropriated by the Legislature.

 

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