Kamloops Joins Municipal Campaign

Sept 22, 2006: Kamloops This Week

Docs Urge Grits to Ante Up for Poor

Pressure is mounting on the government to increase welfare rates. In a letter to city council, the Interior Health Authority is urging Kamloops to join other municipalities and lobby Victoria for higher welfare rates. The letter was signed by five medical health officers, including Paul Hasselback, the IHA's senior medical health officer.

On Tuesday, council acquiesced to the IHA's request, voting 5-4 to support a motion "that the provincial government be urged to increase income assistance rates by a substantial amount."

Claude Richmond, MLA for Kamloops and the minister responsible for welfare, said he is well aware of the lobbying effort underfoot among members of the Union of B.C. Municipalities.

He said advocacy groups regularly ask the Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance to increase rates. " We never say that anyone is unreasonable. They all mean well, and they all want us to boost rates," he said.

Richmond said his ministry is now reviewing rates in anticipation of next year's budget. However, he criticized advocacy groups for often quoting the lowest rates when arguing for increases. Richmond said the province spends about $70 million per year to help people on welfare re-enter the workforce. " On that score, I think we're doing very well," he said.

Tim Larose, executive director of the New Life Mission in Kamloops, said welfare rates are due for an increase. " To increase the shelter portion would be a great thing because, right now, [welfare recipients] are using their food portion to pay for the rent," he said.

A 40 per cent increase in the rent portion, Larose said, would be adequate because the current rent supplement covers only about 60 per cent of the average market rent. Furthermore, Larose said, increasing the portion for food and clothing by about $200 per person would also be a good idea.

Critics of increasing welfare rates often argue that any increases in the shelter portion will be siphoned off by landlords who increase rents. Larose, however, said this isn't the case because the Residential Tenancy
Act protects renters against drastic hikes in rent.

At Tuesday's council meeting, Coun. Arjun Singh said he is in "very strong support" of the UBCM resolution to increase welfare rates and urged fellow councillors for their support.

Not everyone, however, followed Singh's lead. " Unfortunately, these people have no way of looking after themselves, no matter how much money you give them," said Coun. John De Cicco, referring to those on welfare who are also addicted to drugs.

Mayor Terry Lake, on the other hand, voted in favour of the UBCM resolution. " It's not going to cure all of the problems, but it's part of it," he said, noting that given the economic boom in the province, it would be
only fair for society to help the needy.

Councillors De Cicco, Jim Harker, Peter Milobar and Pat Wallace voted against the resolution; Lake and councillors Tina Lange, Joe Leong and Singh voted in favour. Coun. John O'Fee abstained from voting and was thus counted as being in support.

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by Markus Ermisch