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Friday, May 15, 2015

Notice to all Sipekne’katik Band Members Re: Future of On-Reserve Social Assistance Program

Please find attached a letter that was recently received by Maritime First Nation chiefs regarding the future of our on-reserve Social Assistance Program. The Sipekne’katik Band leadership has interpreted this letter from Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development (AANDC) Minister Bernard Valcourt to mean that AANDC plans to restructure social assistance payments to follow provincial rules and regulations. If this is the case, then effective April 1, 2016, the Sipekne’katik Income Assistance Program will longer be able to support children 17 years and younger. As indicated in Minister Valcourt’s letter, Sipekne’katik will be forced to adhere to provincial social assistance rates and eligibility criteria for clients who live on-reserve. The following tables are the current social assistance rates offered by the Province of Nova Scotia: Shelter Allowance (monthly) Family Size Rent or Own a Home Boarding 1 $300* $223 2 $570 $242 3+ $620 $282 * Up to $535 under certain circumstances Personal Allowance (monthly)

Shelter Situation Adult Dependent child age 18 to 20

Dependent child to age 18

Rent, own home, board $255 $255 $133 * In hospital 30 days or more $105 $105 Not applicable In a residential rehabilitation program $81 $81 Not applicable

(Source: novascotia.ca/coms/employment/income_assistance/BasicAssistance.html)

S I PE K N E ’ K A T I K

sipeknekatik.ca

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We want to ensure all band members are aware of these upcoming changes and have sufficient notice. Band members who do not agree with these changes are encouraged to voice their concerns to our local Member of Parliament Scott Brison (Kings-Hants). Honourable Scott Brison Constituency Office 24 Harbourside Drive, Suite 101A Wolfville, N.S. B4P 2C1

Phone: (902) 542-4010 Toll Free (N.S.): 1-888-585-0550 Fax: (902) 542-4184 Email: kings.hants@ns.sympatico.ca Web: www.brison.ca

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this notice, please contact: Rufus Copage Chief Sipekne’katik Phone: (902) 758-2049 ext. 222 Cell: (902) 805-0141 Email: chiefcopage@sipeknekatik.ca

Nathan Sack Director of Operations Sipekne’katik Phone: (902) 758-2049 ext. 224 Cell: (902) 805-0152 Email: nsack@sipeknekatik.ca