By supporting Indigenous, municipal and community partners, as well as the more vulnerable people in our society, we are contributing to the overall health of our province. Through Budget 2021, our actions will strengthen our communities and provide vital support to Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

Indigenous Peoples

At the heart of our relationship with Indigenous peoples is Reconciliation. As we make amends for the past, our relationship with Indigenous Governments and Organizations is built on mutual respect and understanding. Together, we can ensure the dreams of Indigenous peoples are honoured. To advance this important relationship, Budget 2021 includes:

• $4.2 million to advance the Inquiry into the Treatment of Innu Children in Care this year.
• $241,500 for the Indigenous Violence Prevention Grants Program. This program provides funding for culturally appropriate projects aimed at preventing violence against Indigenous women and girls.
• $30,000 in core funding for each of the province’s three Friendship Centres.
• $25,000 for the Provincial Indigenous Women’s Gathering, which allows Indigenous women to come together to share and identify ways to improve the lives and well-being of women in their communities.

Community Sector

The community sector, and its more than 16,000 employees and many volunteers, are innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders in Newfoundland and Labrador. Socially and economically, they are at the front lines of building inclusive, age- friendly communities, as well as attracting new investment and creating jobs. Budget 2021 allocates:

• More than $120 million to continue core funding for community-based organizations, which will ensure that their valuable work to support families and communities continues.

Poverty Reduction

Reducing, alleviating and preventing poverty is central to achieving overall well-being and creating healthier people and communities. As we work with community partners on a renewed strategy that explores a range of holistic options, Budget 2021 includes:

• Over $66 million for the Newfoundland and Labrador Income Supplement, which supports approximately 158,000 individuals and their families annually.
• $12 million to enhance and increase accessibility to adult literacy programs and services, as well as improve the employability of persons with literacy challenges.
• $7.6 million to help prevent homelessness through the Supportive Living Program including funding for the Happy Valley-Goose Bay Housing Hub Shelter and a partnership with the Nunatsiavut Government for supportive housing.
• $1.6 million to provide Metrobus or GoBus passes to income support clients in St. John’s, Mount Pearl and Paradise.
• Approximately $500,000 in new funding for the Mother Baby Nutrition Supplement for low income pregnant mothers and families with children under age one, will increase this monthly support to $100 – up from $60 per month; an increase of 66 per cent.

Improving Food Security and Self-Sufficiency

Through public, community and private partnerships, our province is focused on food security and improving food self-sufficiency, reducing reliance on importing food, as well as creating new jobs. To help sustain our progress and increase provincial food production to 20 per cent by 2022, Budget 2021 is committing:

• $9.8 million for agriculture programs, which supports new farmers and crop diversification.
• $100,000 for the Community Gardens Program, which increases the grant to $750 – up from $500.