Parties urged to end B.C.’s clawback of child support payments for families on assistance
The Province, April 3, 2013
VANCOUVER — B.C.’s four major political parties are being urged to unite behind a policy aimed at helping some of the province’s most vulnerable children.
West Coast Legal Education Action Fund, or LEAF, and two other human rights advocacy groups hope the demand becomes an election issue as the province prepares to go to the polls next month.
They are calling on the parties to end the provincial clawback of child support payments made to families on income assistance.
The groups want the provincial Liberals, New Democrats, Conservatives and Greens to agree that families should be allowed to keep at least $300 of any child support payments.
Currently, any child support payment is deducted from income assistance payments, a process that critics say ensures families cannot break out of the poverty cycle.
Adrienne Montani, provincial co-ordinator of First Call, which publishes an annual report card on child poverty, says claw backs are a tiny fraction of the Ministry of Social Development budget, but the cash would make a significant difference to families living in poverty.
People with Disabilities Mobilizing for BC Election
New laws, restoring cuts to community living on their agenda.
TheTyee.ca, 2 Apr 2013
Cathy Grant, born with cerebral palsy and confined to a motorized wheel chair, is determined to make her mark on B.C.’s fast nearing provincial election. The 54-year-old Vancouver resident told The Tyee she is pouring her efforts into fighting cuts to community living programs and supporting a pair of proposed new legal reforms. Many other B.C. citizens who, like Grant, live with disabilities, and their family members and advocates are mobilizing to affect the outcome of the May vote and make a better deal for British Columbians living with disabilities.
B.C. Poverty Reduction Coalition demands politicians reveal poverty plans
Vancouver Courier March 21, 2013
With a provincial election looming, a broad-based coalition of advocates from sectors including health care, welfare and child care is challenging the province’s four mainstream parties to outline a “poverty reduction plan” for B.C. before voters go to the polls in May.
The B.C. Poverty Reduction Coalition, which says it represents more than 375 organizations in the province, issued its challenge Tuesday and requested the Liberals, NDP, Conservatives and Green Party address seven policy areas with legislated targets and timelines. Read more
B.C. Poverty Reduction Coalition wants more than “Band-Aid” election promises
Georgia Straight Mar 19, 2013
With the provincial election less than two months away, a B.C. coalition is challenging political leaders to commit to implementing a poverty reduction strategy, including measures such as increasing welfare rates and the minimum wage. Read more
BC Has Plenty of Room to Raise Taxes
The Tyee Mar 18, 2013
Our last Tyee column argued that British Columbians are open to tax increases, and that the province would be well advised to increase revenues so that we can invest in services that improve our quality of life (such as affordable child care, seniors care and better public transit). It also needs to ensure everyone — especially those at the top and corporations — pays a fair share. Read more
Adrian Dix facing some tough decisions
The Globe and Mail Mar 7, 2013
Having watched the Liberal government avert a leadership crisis that would have plunged B.C. into chaos, New Democratic Party Leader Adrian Dix knows the spotlight will now once again be trained on him. Read more
B.C. child-care advocates say sector is in crisis
Georgia Straight Mar 7, 2013
Sharon Gregson has observed firsthand some of the challenges facing parents with young children, and early childhood educators in B.C. Common situations that the long-time child-care advocate, who’s the director of child and family development services at Collingwood Neighbourhood House, has seen include families being forced to leave licensed daycares because they can’t afford the fees, and early childhood educators leaving the field because they are still making $16 an hour after more than a decade of work. Read more
B.C. budget disappoints advocates for community social services
The Vancouver Sun Feb 20, 2013
The provincial budget is disappointing for those of us who believe it’s both pragmatic and morally right to help British Columbians when they need it. The community social services sector provides that help, for children, families, seniors and anyone who needs support. We’ve been struggling to do what’s needed after more than 15 years of budget cuts and freezes, and hoped for some relief in this budget. Instead, it will make things worse, for seniors, struggling families, children with problems and many other British Columbians. Read more
Advocates question funding for child care
The Globe and Mail January 30, 2013
Eight Hopes for BC’s Next Government
The Tyee Jan 21, 2013
With just a few months to go before the May 12 British Columbia election, political parties are drawing up their platforms and people are talking about what they’d like to see given attention. Read more
First Call 2013 Provincial Election Toolkit 