New Report Reinforces Inadequacy of BC's Welfare Rates

Nov 22, 2006: NDP Media Release

VICTORIA -- A new report shows inadequate income assistance rates in B.C. are causing children and families to live in hunger and poverty, Surrey - Panorama Ridge MLA Jagrup Brar said today.

The report entitled “The Cost of Eating in B.C.” by the Dietitians of Canada and the Community Nutritionists Council of B.C. shows that B.C.’s working poor and income assistance recipients do not make enough money to afford even basic foods required to remain healthy.

“ B.C. has the highest child poverty rate in Canada. This report shows how inadequate welfare rates are making it hard for families and children to afford the very basic human needs,” said Brar, NDP Critic for Employment and Income Assistance.

“ Not a single British Columbian should have to worry about affording healthy food, the most basic human need. But that is what is starting to happen under the B.C. Liberals now.

“ This report shows how wrong it was for the B.C. Liberals to prevent a debate on an emergency motion to raise welfare rates put forward by NDP MLA Jenny Kwan,” said Brar.

“ First, they cancelled an entire legislative sitting. Yesterday, the NDP attempted to hold an emergency debate on inadequate welfare rates and the resulting increases in poverty and homelessness. But the government denied procedural support required for it to happen,” said Brar.

Brar pointed out that over 50% of food bank users in B.C. are welfare recipients - one third of them are children. Support payments for single employable people amount to $6 per day to cover all expenses outside of rent.

“ While the government continues to act with arrogance, poverty and homelessness are reaching crisis levels in B.C.,” said Brar.

“ It is time the B.C. Liberals realized the problems facing the most vulnerable in the province are getting out of hand. The first step towards action is to listen when the Opposition tries to raise it with them,” said Brar.