The beginning of a new year can offer a sense of promise – a hopefulness for change and opportunity – and yet what many people with low-income face remains the same: poor housing, increased costs of living, and dismal welfare rates. While the solutions to poverty are around us in numerous reports and from the voices of those who are currently experiencing low-income, the political will needed to shift policy continues to be sidelined.
In an effort to challenge this perceived apathy, a provincial politician in BC has decided to dive head-first into the poverty pit, living on the mere $610 allocated to a single-person on welfare. MLA Jagrup Brar from Surrey, BC started his new year with a goal of gaining greater insight on poverty: on the courage and resourceful it takes to survive below the poverty line, and strain it places on an individual both physically and mentally.
This “Welfare Challenge” was organized by Raise the Rates coalition, a group dedicated to ensuring that the BC welfare rates are increased so individuals who are forced to use this road-of-last-resort are not entrapped in a cycle of poverty. In a province that is becoming increasingly unaffordable, $610 does not get you very far – especially when considering that $375 of this monthly allotment is meant for housing. Whether you feel this is a publicity stunt or support the cause, one issue remains certain: the number of people in poverty is shameful.
In November 2011, Campaign 2000 issued its annual National Child Poverty Report Card and confirmed that 1 in 10 children live in poverty. The report when on to point out that over 20 years since the unanimous House of Commons resolution to end child poverty in 1989, the total child poverty rate has only dropped 20%. As you ponder this fact, consider that welfare rates across the country do not bring people to the poverty line. Newfoundland and Labrador has managed to break the mould and in one category provided income to reach this benchmark (single parents with one child), but that is one category in one province.
Last year in Ontario a review of the social assistance system was launched, and thus far a minimal increase of 23 cents a day was given to people receiving support. This amount doesn’t offer the relief that people on welfare are desperate for. Currently, a single individual can expect an annual income of $7,200 on social assistance – well below the after-tax Low-Income Cut-Off of $18,421 listed in the National Council of Welfare’s 2009 income report. In reality, welfare incomes are decreasing, and this report points to Ontario as one of the worst offenders with a loss of $3,933 over the past 20 years (PEI was in first with $4,110 lost). The Social Assistance Review couldn’t come at a better time – but should not be limited to Ontario.
Like BC, Ontario is not alone in sharing welfare shame – this report also mentions that between 1990 – 2009 only three provinces increased welfare rates (Saskatchewan 17%, Yukon 34%, Newfoundland and Labrador 63%). But wait….when you consider that inflation increased by 45.9%, only Newfoundland and Labrador had an impact. As the gap between welfare incomes and actual costs of living continue to widen, the need for radical change grows. How long can we expect a person to work with $500-700 a month? This just isn’t reasonable.
Many of the people who are on welfare are not receiving support because they are ‘lazy’. That is a stereotype that too many people cling to without speaking to recipients. On his first day Mr. Brar encountered individuals with memorable stories that are similar to experiences shared on last months special CBC poverty episode of “The Current” with Rob Rainer and Lorna Crozier hosting. The stories completely knock down the ‘lazy’ myth. Some have experienced cancer and could not work, others were taking care of ill relatives, many were lone-parents, and virtually none of them wanted to be on welfare.
As MLA Brar continues on his journey, you can bet the media and welfare reform advocates will be watching. BC remains one of three provinces without a poverty plan, and continues to hold the title of the province with the highest poverty rates. That is two for two. If the government chooses to ignore the needs of people on welfare, BC might just hit three out of three. The only prize for that ‘win’ would be embarrassment.
