N.S. government changes income assistance rules to exclude people living in tents

The Nova Scotia government has altered its income assistance rules to exclude individuals residing in tents from receiving enhanced financial support. Under the new regulations, those living in tents will no longer qualify for the additional financial aid. The government implemented this change following a court ruling on August 5th, which determined that people living in tents were indeed eligible for the enhanced support, overturning a previous Supreme Court decision.

The alteration was made through an order-in-council, following the recommendation of Susan Corkum-Greek, the minister of opportunities and social development. The updated regulations replace the term "accommodation" with "lives in a home" and redefine "home" as a self-contained unit, such as a rented or owned property, a lodging house room, or a single-occupancy room in a building.