WELFARE CASELOADS DECREASE IN WYNYARD

Released on April 30, 2002

New data shows substantial reductions in welfare caseloads continue in

Wynyard.



"Welfare caseloads in Wynyard during March 2002 dropped by approximately

six per cent compared to March 2001," Social Services Minister Glenn Hagel

announced today. "In each of the last seven years, the number of

households relying on welfare has decreased compared to the same month in

the previous year. This unprecedented reduction is the result of

deliberate and focused government action and is unheard of in the

province's history."



"Since 1994, Wynyard's welfare caseloads dropped by approximately 22 per

cent," Hagel said. "Province-wide, the welfare caseload dropped by 25 per

cent and the number of people living in households on welfare decreased by

one third."



Hagel credits the strength in the construction and service sectors and the

Building Independence initiative for playing a major role in the caseload

reduction.



"The first phase of Building Independence was fully implemented in 1998 and

included the Saskatchewan Employment Supplement, the Saskatchewan Child

Benefit, Family Health Benefits and the Provincial Training Allowance,"

Hagel said. "As a direct result of this initiative, the latest figures

show almost 6,000 families, including 13,000 children no longer rely on

welfare."



Other provincial government initiatives have also contributed to the

caseload reduction. By January 1st, 2003 tax reforms, including the

removal of the flat tax, will mean 55,000 Saskatchewan residents who are

low-income earners will no longer pay income tax.



"Reducing welfare dependency means two things for the province," Hagel

said. "First and foremost, when people have the opportunity to participate

in the workforce, they are better able to provide for themselves and their

families. In fact, since 1993 the incidence of child poverty in

Saskatchewan, as reported by the Canadian Council on Social Development,

has fallen by nearly 30 per cent."



"Secondly, the reduction in caseloads has resulted in substantial savings

to the province," Hagel said. "Since Building Independence was introduced

the provincial government has saved a cumulative total of $345 million on

welfare when compared with 1996/97 expenditures. This year we expect to

spend almost $80 million less on social assistance than we did in 1996/97.

These savings have allowed the province to increase investments in programs

that benefit low income people such as employment supports, education and

health care."



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For more information, contact:



Doug Wakabayashi

Social Services

Regina

Phone: (306) 787-8689