Community Volunteer Transportation
West NB Service Commission has a Memorandum of Understanding with Urban/Rural Rides a registered charity, for the provision of community transportation services in the Region. This organization provides the coordination of a volunteer ride program in West NB and 5 other regions in the province.
Economic and Social Inclusion Corporation
The West NB Service Commission has a Memorandum of Understanding with ESIC, a provincial Crown Corporation, to host the regional Community Inclusion Network, and funding is received for the provision of this mandate. Local organizations have access to Community Action grants that align with and help to realize the priority actions and objectives of the Overcoming Poverty Together plan.
Strategic Objectives of Community Development
1. Build on the success and capacity of the Urban/Rural Rides model to explore innovative options for enhanced and new rural transportation systems.
2. Identify specific needs and support major regional initiatives related to, among others, affordable housing, newcomer settlement services, diversity promotion, social inclusion and poverty reduction, and healthy communities.
3. To undertake a regional diagnosis of the housing landscape and develop an inventory of community development-related services offered in the Western Valley to close gaps and increase collaboration.
Overcoming Poverty Together 4 (OPT4)
Overcoming Poverty Together is dedicated to reducing poverty and enhancing the quality of life for individuals residing in our province. The plan employs a unique and collaborative approach that requires the alignment of all sectors at the local, regional, and provincial levels. Just as this plan is collaborative, it is also inclusive. It embraces diversity as each measure is intended to apply to all New Brunswickers.
OPT4 is the five-year poverty reduction plan for New Brunswick and was launched in February 2025.
Basic Needs and Wellbeing
Pillar I focuses on ensuring that every New Brunswicker has access to life’s essentials. This includes improving food security, transportation, child care, housing, health services, and prescription drug coverage, helping individuals and families build a foundation for stability and wellness.
Priority Actions
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1.
1. Food Security
2. Transportation
3. Child care
4. Housing
5. Health
6. Prescription drug coverage awareness
Income Security
Income Security aims to strengthen financial stability for all New Brunswickers by improving access to benefits, enhancing financial literacy, and supporting better working conditions for low-income earners. It also addresses the unique challenges faced by individuals living with disabilities and includes measures to review asset exemptions and establish an advisory committee on income security.
Priority Actions
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2.
7. Connection to benefits.
8. Financial literacy.
9. Improved working conditions for workers with a low income.
10. Unique challenges faced by individuals living with disabilities.
11. Review of asset exemption thresholds for government programs and services.
12. Creation of an advisory committee on income security.
Strengthening People-Focused Service Delivery
Pillar III is centered on making services more accessible, inclusive, and responsive to people’s needs. This includes reducing barriers to support, offering sensitization training, expanding services for youth transitioning out of care, and strengthening the capacity of the non-profit sector.
Priority Actions
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3.
13. Reduced barriers to better connect.
14. Sensitization training opportunities.
15. Expanded support for youth who have reached the age of leaving the care of the Minister.
16. Support of the non-profit sector.