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The recent announcement by Social Development Minister Kelly Lamrock and Premier Shawn Graham of a comprehensive anti-poverty strategy is welcome news.

On most social assistance indicators, New Brunswick currently ranks last in the country. According to a 2007 report by the National Council of Welfare, the amount paid to a single employable adult in New Brunswick was $3,258 per year. Imagine trying to cover housing, food, clothing, and other necessities on this small amount. This is the lowest rate in the country by a large margin and half the Atlantic Canadian average.

The situation is not much better for social assistance recipients with families. A couple with two children receives $11,595 per year, which is the lowest for the country and 22 per cent below the Atlantic Canadian average. Only for a single parent with one child was New Brunswick not at the bottom; it ranked sixth in the country, but was still the lowest in Atlantic Canada.

These low social assistance rates are further exacerbated by the economic unit policy, whereby assistance is clawed back if the recipient has a roommate.

In April of this year, 39,097 New Brunswickers were on social assistance, equivalent to the population of a small city. Of those on social assistance, 35 per cent were children. For these children forced to grow up in deprivation - both those on social assistance and those whose parents who are part of the working-poor - under-nourishment and fewer educational facilities at home (books, videos) means that they are less likely to do well in school, thus creating self-reinforcing cycles of poverty.

It is encouraging to hear Kelly Lamrock acknowledge, in unequivocal terms, that social assistance rates are a "disgrace" and that there needs to be comprehensive reform to fight poverty.

The poverty reduction plan adopted by the province (the result of a year of public consultations) sets the goal of reducing "income poverty by 25 per cent and deep income poverty by 50 per cent" by 2015. The report sets out a strategy to improve social assistance and provide educational and employment opportunities for the poor so they can escape poverty.

The government's plan includes an immediate increase in assistance for single employable adults by 80 per cent. Also, the economic unit policy will be ended. Those on social assistance will not have their benefits clawed back if they live with a roommate.

The report also includes provisions to help the working poor and ease the transition from welfare-to-work.

Coverage for prescription drugs, dental services and vision will be extended for up to three years for those leaving social assistance after commencing employment. Also, prescription drug coverage will be provided for all uninsured New Brunswickers by 2012, helping those on social assistance and the working poor. As well, New Brunswick's minimum wage, currently $8.25 per hour, will be increased to the Atlantic average, currently $8.56 per hour, by 2011.

The report also includes plans to introduce education and job training opportunities to facilitate employment and the encouragement of social enterprise and community investment funds to help deprived neighbourhoods and communities. There are also plans to introduce programs for early learning to improve the educational performance of children from poor families and improve their chances of succeeding in school.

The plan also aims to improve housing and community transportation. Additionally, a new Crown Corporation, the New Brunswick Economic and Social Inclusion Corporation, will be created to oversee the implementation of the government's anti-poverty plan and coordinate efforts by working with the poor and with the public and private sectors.

For Lamrock, this plan marks an early achievement in his tenure as minister after a tumultuous tenure in the Department of Education. For the government overall, the plan is a welcome development, given the contention over the proposed sale of NB Power to Hydro-Quebec, which has fostered opposition even among rank-and-file members of the Liberal Party.

The government's anti-poverty plan would be strengthened with the inclusion of access to justice. Currently, New Brunswick's spending on legal aid is the lowest in Canada. There is already a comprehensive report on legal aid (available at http://www.gnb.ca/0062/pdf/5071 eng report.pdf) which outlines the problems with the system and sets out concrete proposals for reform. (In the interests of disclosure, I was involved in the compiling and drafting of the report.)

It is encouraging that the province is taking action to improve the dismal state of social services. This comprehensive anti-poverty plan is a step in the right direction.

Hassan Arif resides in Fredericton. He can be reached by e-mail at arif. telegraphjournal@gmail.com His column appears on Monday.