Vancouver and District Labour Council Joins Campaign

July 18, 2006: The Vancouver and District Labour Council adopted the following resolution:

WHEREAS: Welfare rates in British Columbia have not been increased in 12 years; and

WHEREAS: The cost of living has increased by more than 30% over the same period; and

WHEREAS: Senior income assistance rates are indexed to inflation but welfare rates are not; and

WHEREAS: There has been a marked increase in homelessness and child poverty in Vancouver over the same period; now

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
That the Vancouver and District Labour Council support the "raise the rates" coalition and call on the provincial government to raise welfare rates by 50% and index them to the cost of living; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That the VDLC call on the Provincial Government to review its welfare policies in order to remove arbitrary barriers to accessing welfare and provide meaningful support to the poor.