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The Citizen, 1991-06-12, Page 13THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 1991. PAGE 13. Changes to welfare system,"Back on Track" Changes to the welfare system under the "Back on Track" program are on the way and there's little sense in municipalities trying to buck the trend, Huron County Council was told at its June 6 meet­ ing. John McKinnon, Administrator of Huron County Social Services said that was the message he picked up at a recent convention he attend­ ed. The government had made the changes without much consultation but it is committed to the changes, Mr. McKinnon said. "These reforms are real. There's no sense bucking them." When the changes are in place on Oct. 1 of this year, farmers and other self-employed people will be able to qualify for assistance for the first time if financial need can be established. Even full-time, employed people can receive assis­ tance if the need is established. "Basically it's a guaranteed annual income at the provincial and municipal level" Mr. McKinnon said. Other changes mean that a wel­ fare recipient doesn't have to take a job if it isn't "suitable employment" and employable 16 and 17-year- olds can receive assistance if they aren't living at home. The province will also increase support in several areas to those on welfare and will pick up 90 per cent of the welfare lab from munic­ ipalities when 3.5 per cent of the population is on welfare rather than the current standard of four per cent. Mr. McKinnon said it seems like­ ly the province will take over total financial responsibility for welfare in the long run. Councillors voted to support a resolution from Bruce County that said the province should not insti­ tute the "Back on Track" recom­ mendations until municipalities have had an opportunity to properly assess the document and the cost implications have been established. MV B ' ■: < 2co o CO O' <r cxi m n r* c?CXI </> <r o o C tv E 0 o co <r m cm <T o m c rsj xO n N O' ITI n cm n CM <? CO \O CXI O tn r* I- o0 o 0) o Ji E - s <■ o <5 oi a> Q ° C t sopeS fi to a 2 c X c O I UL </> rn* c P - TJ O q. ~ £ OJ ra-9 S ® >u ‘ CL ® * (D O Q C 0 t O C o c u JZ o </)</) (J QJ CJ (J M O < m cc <r m co m <T tn r- cm m O cr •-< o r* co r-< oo r* in o <T m so r- cxi r** m cn m oo O rn md <T (XI M3 sO O 0s _ r->- r** co \O CXI cm m ri co n O cxi m ao m m m O oo m O' <r co <y MD CD X CO CO O' CO vD o « cr co m O' m cm m m x co co r- <r o(/* E a> o OO oo o' tn ko » tn r- exj md tn oo mt O O O O O O O O O tn O O r* md > c o c a> o uj x co