Manitoba cabinet minister says welfare reform will not result in cuts to benefits

The Manitoba government says there will be no cuts to benefits or stricter eligibility requirements under its plan to reform welfare.

“There will not,” Families Minister Rochelle Squires said Tuesday.

“We’re continuing to offer programs for people, to meet them where they’re at on their journey in life.”

Squires announced a two-year extension of a program that provides child care, career counselling and other services to single parents who are on employment and income assistance and have children under school age.

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The Progressive Conservative government has long talked about developing a plan to reduce the number of people on assistance.

In 2020, then-premier Brian Pallister wrote in a cabinet mandate letter that welfare must change “from a benefit that encourages dependency on government to one that provides a short-term bridge to meaningful employment.”

Squires, who was named families minister last year, has continued to talk about moving people into the workforce.

But she said Tuesday that people will not be penalized if they do not participate in programs such as the one the government has extended.

“There’s absolutely no penalty for people who do not wish to participate in the program,” she said.

“It’s voluntary … and my understanding is that many (recipients) are really excited to enroll in programs such as this.”

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The Opposition New Democrats said they fear the Tories will look to cut benefits or eligibility as part of budget belt-tightening. The government has promised to balance the budget over an eight-year period after years of consecutive deficits.

The NDP said Tuesday’s announcement was geared to single parents of young children, and other people on assistance can be left without help if they seek to improve their literacy or job skills.

“I don’t think the PCs can be trusted when it comes to this sector of society,” NDP legislature member Malaya Marcelino said.

Squires also announced $500,000 for programs that provide skill development and mental-health supports to people on assistance in rural and northern areas.