Kelowna Supports the Municipal Campaign

Resolution as it appears in the Union of British Columbia Municipalities convention package:

B171 PROVINCIAL INCOME ASSISTANCE RATES Kelowna

WHEREAS the October 2005 Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Rental Market Report for Kelowna indicates average rents far exceed the shelter allowance portion of BC Assistance;

AND WHEREAS the cost of living, particularly shelter in this province, has continually increased without corresponding adjustments to the levels of assistance;

AND WHEREAS thousands of low-income households in our city are paying far in excess of 30% (the majority in excess of 50%) of their gross income before tax on shelter;

AND WHEREAS adults with disabilities may have greater expenses than seniors in order to address the needs of their disability, including access to special needs housing:

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the provincial Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance be asked to increase current assistance rates and implement a program to adjust those rates annually based on the BC Average Annual Consumer Price Index;

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the provincial Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance also be asked to increase assistance for adults with disabilities to the same level of assistance available to seniors.

ENDORSED BY THE OKANAGAN MAINLINE MUNICIPAL ASSOCIATION

UBCM RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: No Recommendation

UBCM RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE COMMENTS:

The Resolutions Committee advises that the UBCM membership has endorsed several resolutions on the topic of income assistance in recent years:
• 2005-B51 asked the Province to “reduce the barriers and revise the eligibility criteria for accessing the BC Employment and Assistance program”;
• 2005-B52 and 2004-B133 requested that the Province “ensure that welfare benefits meet the basic needs of individuals and families”; and
• 2004-B134 asked the provincial government to “rescind the laws introducing income assistance time limits and reducing benefits.”

The Committee advises that the membership has not previously considered the request that income assistance rates be adjusted annually based on the BC Average Annual Consumer Price Index or that adults with disabilities be granted the same assistance levels as those provided to seniors.

Find out how to get your city council to pass a similar motion