Urban/Rural Transportation

West NB Service Commission has an Memorandum of Understanding with Urban/Rural Rides for the provision of transportation services in the Region. This organization provides the coordination of a volunteer ride program in West NB and 5 other Service Commissions.

Become a volunteer Become a client

ESIC

The West NB Service Commission has an Memorandum of Understanding the Economic and Social Inclusion Corporation (ESIC , A Crown Corp.) to host the Regional Community Inclusion Network within the Structure of the Commission, and receives funding for the provision of this mandate. The Commission enables local organizations access Community Action Grants that align with and help to realize the goals and objective of Over Coming Poverty Together Plan.

View More

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 and 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.

View Image

ESIC Pillars

New Brunswick’s economic and social inclusion efforts to-date have been marked by a commitment from all sectors to work together to reduce poverty and to create a province where all residents are able to fully participate. In OPT3, ESIC will focus on achieving impact in economic and social inclusion, through a targeted number of priority actions.

OPTP 4 was released in January 2025, and these Pillars will be updated once the details become available.

Pillar 1

Income Security

Income Security is about the adequacy of income to meet one’s needs. Income can come from various sources including employment earnings, progressive taxation policies, and targeted financial transfers from all levels of government. Income security is a priority that requires both public and private sector leadership.

Many employed New Brunswickers struggle to afford their basic needs. The low-skilled segment of the labour market is often marked by low wages, limited benefits and less than full-time work hours. New Brunswick’s income assistance rates are among the lowest in the country and are not indexed to the cost of living.

Priority Actions

  • 1.

    Conduct a social assistance reform to remove barriers to employment for employable clients and provide adequate income support for multi-barrier clients who do not have the capacity to work.

  • 2.

    Consult on changes to the Employment Standards Act to better support low-income workers by addressing the overtime rate, improving sick leave provisions, repealing the exemption of domestic workers, and benchmarking the minimum wage to the Atlantic average by 2021, which would continue to be indexed annually.

  • 3.

    Make investments through a new social finance fund to increase the capacity and sustainability of social enterprises within non-profit organizations in New Brunswick.

Pillar 2

Coordination of Programs and Services

Coordination of programs and services is about making information easy to find and understand and simplifying application processes. It is about streamlining service delivery and ensuring that New Brunswickers know about important supports that exist and how to access those that they are eligible for. Improved coordination will reduce duplication and result in better outcomes and increased collaboration between organizations and sectors.

Priority Actions

  • 4.

    Conduct a review of government programs, services and tax policies targeted to low-income individuals and families to eliminate areas of duplication, simplify complex application requirements, and ensure program effectiveness to better support New Brunswick residents.

  • 5.

    Implement a One-Stop-Shop to help New Brunswickers access information and navigate government and community programs and services they need more easily.

Pillar 3

Inclusion and Healthy Communities

Healthy communities are about creating and improving the physical and social environments where New Brunswickers feel included. It is about the equitable access to health services, educational opportunities, healthy food options, leisure activities, adequate and safe housing, etc. It is creating an environment where individuals can live and thrive with dignity.

Priority Actions

  • 6.

    Improve access to mental health and addictions services and reduce wait times.

  • 7.

    Improve access to mental health and addictions services and reduce wait times.

  • 8.

    Work with partners to provide inclusive opportunities for sport, recreation and leisure activities for low income New Brunswickers.

  • 9.

    Support children and youth by ensuring there are school food programs in all New Brunswick Schools.