[mobglob-discuss] Press release: Provincial budget another slap in the face for BC's poor

[Bella]

For immediate release

February 18, 2003 
 

2003/04 provincial budget:  another slap in the face for BC’s poor

 

(Vancouver) While the government boasts that the financial picture in BC
is “better than expected”, those on welfare have little to cheer about. 
Today’s provincial budget announced new spending for roads, schools,
forestry workers, and the Vancouver Convention Centre, but the Ministry of
Human Resources will see massive cuts of 29% this year, and 37% next year
compared to 2001/02 funding levels.   This is far worse than the 20% and
30% cuts that the government originally planned for the next two years.

 

The Ministry is able to achieve its reduction targets by tightening
welfare eligibility requirements, reducing benefits, and closing 36
welfare offices.  Welfare support rates were cut last April for single
parents and those aged 55-64, saving the government $18.2 million. 
Families of three or more lost $14.5 million in shelter payments.  And
thousands of people with disabilities are being put through an expensive
“reassessment” process with the implicit goal of disqualifying as many
people as possible from receiving benefits.   

 

Lesley Moore from End Legislated Poverty says “there is no good news for
low-income people in this budget.  Even before the cuts, welfare rates
were too low.  After the cuts, income assistance only meets 44% to 59% of
people’s actual living costs”. 

 

The government saved $47 million over the past year by imposing a
mandatory “three week wait” for welfare.  For those lucky enough to get
assistance, maintenance payments and part-time earnings were deducted
dollar for dollar from their welfare cheques.  This meant $38.5 million
less income for people that were already living well below the poverty
line.  

 

“There is nothing this government won’t chop, even if it means lost lives”
says Moore.  “Next year they plan to cut thousands off the welfare rolls.
Those most likely to be affected by the two years out of five rule are
people with unrecognized disabilities – they could find themselves on the
street with no income at all”.

-------------------------------------------------------------------
ph:  604.879.1209
fx:   604.879.1229
211-456 W. Broadway Vancouver, BC  V5Y 1R3
elp at telus.net
www.endlegislatedpoverty.ca




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