Minister promises extra $900K to extend secure income pilot

P.E.I.'s secure income pilot project promised for next year will extend beyond the three months promised by government, according to Minister of Social Development and Housing Ernie Hudson.

Hudson made that commitment following questions from Green MLA Hannah Bell, who has been questioning what the criteria for the program will be, and why it will only be a three-month pilot.

"We as a government have a role, we have a responsibilitythat we have to have programs in place," said Hudson.

Additional $900K for following year

A secure income program is one of the recommendations that came out of the province's Poverty Reduction Action Plan in 2018.

In the budget currently before the legislature, the provinceannounced $225,000 for a three month pilot project starting in January 2020.It would provide an extra $187 per month on average to 400 low-income Islanders.

But in question period Wednesday afternoon, Hudson said it will continue beyond the end of March 2020.

"After the period of the end of this fiscal year March 31, 2020 moving forward after that there is an additional $900,000 that this program will be budgeted for, and that this program will continue with," Hudson said.

Assuming the number of participants and the amount of money they receive stays the same, that would be enough to continue the program for another full year.

Questions about criteria

Bell said she was glad to hear more funding announced, but doesn't believe it's enough.

Bell said she has heard from constituents who have questions about the criteria for the program. In question period she asked questions on behalf of a constituent, describing it asa "Hunger Games-style system"to select which 400 Islanders will be able to take part.

Hudson said the program is starting as a pilotto have the opportunity to review what worksand what doesn't, and make any necessary changes.

Hudson said the exact eligibility criteria has not yet been determined and his department is working on developing the criteria over the coming months.

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