Welfare rates in Nova Scotia have been frozen for two years. As the cost of living continues to rise, you don't need to be an economist to know a freeze equals a cut. 

60% of people on Income Assistance in Nova Scotia are disabled due to chronic illnesses, mental illnesses and/or physical challenges. The most a disabled person can access for housing expenses under income assistance is $535 a month, while average rent in Nova Scotia is $780. This means people are spending their food money on keeping a roof over their head. 

As the last federal government made Employment Insurance harder to access and Nova Scotia has seen job losses in manufacturing and the film industry over the last few years, people in our province will be in need of provincial social assistance more than ever.

People on assistance live 30-60% below the poverty line. In a country where corporate profits have been steadily rising for decades, it is unacceptable for so many to be going without nutritious food, be at risk of homelessness and experience isolation and stigma.

Province House begins sitting on November 12th. Tell Premier Stephen MacNeil and Community Services Minister Joanne Bernard it's well passed time to raise assistance rates to something people can live on.