[LabComm] Campbell privatizing front-line welfare services in Interior, says James

[BC NDP NEWSWIRE]

KAMLOOPS – The Gordon Campbell Liberal government is moving to privatize front-line welfare services in the Interior, BC NDP Leader Carole James said today.  

James released the details of a government document asking private companies to bid on the provision of welfare services in Clearwater.  The posting says that interested bidders will be responsible for processing social assistance claims, identifying fraud, and transmitting confidential information to government.

Since June 2001, the BC Liberals have closed and amalgamated more than fifty Human Resources offices in communities throughout BC.

A decision on the bid is expected by July 1.  

James said that under the scheme, social assistance can be delivered by private operators in multi-use offices whose main line of business has nothing to do with welfare. The contractor will also be allowed to sub-contract services, with no requirement to demonstrate their qualifications.

“British Columbians applying for and receiving social assistance will put their personal financial information in the hands of private contractors and those they sub-contract to.  This is not acceptable.  Both in combating fraud, ensuring the timely delivery of services, and respecting the dignity of those on social assistance, this privatization scheme will fail.

“Under Mr. Campbell’s scheme, there is nothing to stop social assistance from being delivered at the local grocery store. That’s a terrible way to treat laid-off forestry workers, single-mothers, and others who need help to put food on the table.”

“This move by Mr. Campbell to privatize front-line welfare services shows that his cuts to government services in the Interior were both short-sighted and designed to make way for privatization schemes like this one,” said James.   “Once again, small communities are left to depend on private operators to get basic services from their government in Victoria.”

“Mr. Campbell needs to admit that bringing down the axe on government services in small communities was wrong, and he should tell us how many taxpayer dollars we are spending on this scheme to fill the service gap he’s left for rural British Columbians.”

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