Joanne Bernard says 'everything on the table' in benefits reform

Nova Scotia's government is considering providing a bus pass to everyone on social assistance as it reviews benefits.

"Who knows? Everything is on the table," Community Services Minister Joanne Bernard told reporters on Thursday.

"Whatever is the economical way of delivering transportation particularly in HRM is the way we are going to do it."

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In May, someNova Scotians with disabilities living on social assistance lost their monthly bus pass as a result of ongoing reviews.

The department said then that the bus pass policy hadn't changed, but suggestedmore people may have come under review.

Bernard said there was never a policy for guaranteed bus passes, but there is a policy stating transportation will be provided so long as it's economical.

"It's a $6 million program within the central region alone," she said, adding that social workers continue to work with clients individually to determine their needs.

"If somebody has a few appointments, then it would make more economical sense that they would receive bus tickets. Otherwise, they would get a bus pass."