by Nash Alonto
April 9, 2024
The Leader of the Opposition has raised concerns over problems in P.E.I.’s social development programs during Question Period at the Legislative Assembly on Friday, April 5.
Tignish-Palmer Road MLA Hal Perry said there is a discrepancy in length of payments between two caregiver programs that provide monetary assistance: one under the care of the province and the other under the care of relatives and foster parents.
Passed in 2017, the Grandparent and Alternative Caregiver Program (GACP) provides family members, such as grandparents, aunts and uncles, or family friends, with a $700 monthly stipend per child to help cover daily living, clothing, and transportation costs.
Perry said that those in permanent care, or under the care of the province, receive assistance until age 21, while those under the GACP get cut off at age 18.
“This inequity is especially glaring, given that both groups face similar challenges transitioning into adulthood,” he said.
In response, Social Development and Seniors Minister Barbara Ramsay said the GACP is something the government has been proud of.
“They don’t have anywhere to go after turning 18, so they remain in the program where they can have aftercare so that we can ensure that they can carry on for education and other needs that they may have,” Ramsay said.
Perry, however, accused Ramsay of not answering the question, saying that caregivers under the GACP felt marginalized and the opposition party has concerns about it.
“It’s evident that the current child protection legislation on Prince Edward Island is failing to uphold the principles of fairness and equity when it comes to supporting caregivers and the children that they care for,” he said.
“This minister seems content to perpetuate a system where children raised by their grandparents or other family members receive less financial assistance compared to those in permanent care, and that boggles my mind.”
Ramsay replied that grandparents and foster families are paid equally, just on different levels.
“Grandparents get a certain amount per child, plus they get the childcare – the tax credit, and foster families receive a certain amount per child, and any of the needs that the children might require would go through our department,” she said.
Perry, however, said he was confused by the minister’s answer.
“How can you have them getting paid equally but on different levels?” Perry asked.
Ramsay answered by repeating the benefits of the GACP and that the province is unique in providing support for providers under the age of 18.
“We support our grandparents at many, many levels. We have a great relationship; our department has a great relationship with the grandparents and the grandparent programs. I visited those programs. We have conversations on a regular basis, and they are not being treated unequally,” she said.
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