----- Original Message -----
From: "Deb" <healthnetwork@hfx.eastlink.ca>
To: "Hon. David M. Morse" <MORSEDM@gov.ns.ca>
Cc: "Maureen MacDonald" <macdonma@gov.ns.ca>; "Dave Wilson" <lco@gov.ns.ca>
Sent: Wednesday, June 30, 2004 1:19 AM
Subject: Re: Ms. Debbie L. Kelly - N.S. Citizen's Health Care Network Ref.
#06-04-M-430


June 29, 2004

Dear Hon. Morse:

Thank you for your response to my email to the Premier.  I have discussed
the situation with the department personnel and to date, the issue seems
be resolved.

However, the entire quit / fire Regulation of the Department is unjust and
unfair.  While the main purpose is to discipline those the Department
believes to be abusing the system and trying to get themselves fired or if
they leave their job.  This is unbelievable!

This Policy Regulation does just the opposite of what it hopes to achieve.
A person or family member becomes afraid to get a job for fear of getting
cut off.  While I do believe there are some and I say only some people who
might abuse the system, it cannot be allowed to continue to penalize the
entire social assistance families.  We know of the appeal system but
people
with a lack of self confidence do not have faith in the system that they
will get a fair decision.

The stress and fear resulting from this bias and unjust system goes beyond
human endurance.  We believe there are many supportive ways to achieve
success in helping people and families become less dependant on social
assistance, but cutting them off financial assistance is not the way to do
it.  This is clearly a health care issue, as people on assistance do not
have the opportunity to buy the healthier kinds of foods due to
significant
cost factors.

In this day and age and in this Country, we cannot have more child
poverty.
Poverty in Canada should be eliminated.  We believe there are more
successful ways to achieve a more self-reliant role and we would like to
discuss them with you.

Thank you for taking the time to reply to our concern and letter.  We
would
like a meeting with you at your earliest convience.  Please have your
assistant contact me at 455-9164 to set up a date and time.  Again, thank
you.

Sincerely,

Debbie L. Kelly, Chairperson
Nova Scotia Citizens' Health Care Network
cc:  Maureen MacDonald, NDP Health Critic
Dave Wilson, Liberal Health Critic
Network Organziations

----- Original Message -----
From: "Hon. David M. Morse" <MORSEDM@gov.ns.ca>
To: <Healthnetwork@hfx.eastlink.ca>
Sent: Tuesday, June 29, 2004 2:58 PM
Subject: Ms. Debbie L. Kelly - N.S. Citizen's Health Care Network Ref.
#06-04-M-430


Dear Ms. Kelly:

Thank you for your e-mail dated May 31, 2004,  regarding your
concerns about Employment Support and Income Assistance policies and
their effect on families.  The Premier has asked that I respond on his
behalf.

I understand that staff from my Department contacted you by
phone on June 3 to gather more information and follow-up on your
concerns.  Staff from our Central Region have been provided with this
information and will be following-up on this situation.

I want to assure you that each situation is carefully reviewed
to ensure that policies are applied appropriately and fairly.  In
addition, if someone is not satisfied with a decision, they have the
right to request an administrative review and formal appeal.

Once again, thank you for bringing this matter to my attention.
I share your commitment to addressing poverty, and thank you for your
comments.

Sincerely,
David M. Morse, MLA
Minister of Community Services
Province of Nova Scotia

c:     Honourable John Hamm (#053104012)