*

- includes info organized under the following themes:
Early childhood development
Parenting
Education
Post-secondary learning resources
Jobs and opportunities
Tools and resources
A celebration of excellence

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BC Election links

The British Columbia general election took place on Tuesday, May 12, 2009.

May 13, 2009
B.C. Liberal Leader Gordon Campbell has won an historic third straight term as the province's premier. The results in Tuesday's B.C. election show Campbell's Liberals leading with 45.7 per cent of the popular vote, ahead of Carole James's NDP at 42.2 per cent. (...) By midnight Tuesday, the Liberals were ahead in 47 ridings, having been elected in 45. The NDP led in 38 ridings, with New Democrats declared elected in 34 of those. Six new seats were added to the provincial legislature in Victoria for this election, raising the total number of seats to 85. That means to win a majority, a party needs to elect candidates in at least 43 ridings.
Source:

- govt. site, includes links to info about parties, candidates, ridings and other election logistics

NOTE: for an extensive collection of online BC Election resources,
go to http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/politics_prov_terr.htm#bc

The link immediately above is from the Political Parties and Elections Links in Canada (Provinces and Territories) page of this site:
http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/politics_prov_terr.htm

BC Election Sites

(from )
: the Hospital Employees' Union's election web site



- a BIG issue in this BC election...

at the swearing-in ceremony
(June 16)

- from the website of the Office of the Premier - new Cabinet with biographies.

Google News search Results : ""
Google Web Search Results : ""
Source:

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January 26, 2004
Office of the Premier
"VICTORIA – Premier Gordon Campbell today announced changes to the Cabinet, including the addition of six new members, a renewed focus on economic development and several new Minister of State portfolios to advance key priorities in the government’s agenda."

(new list of ministers)
January 26, 2004
The new Minister of Human Resources is the Hon. Stan Hagen.
The new Minister of Children and Family Development is Deputy Premier Christy Clark.

Related Link:

January 27, 2004
"A cabinet shuffle in an atmosphere of crisis, two weeks prior to the legislature opening with the Speech from the Throne, is bad news for Premier Campbell."
Source:

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- includes info organized under the following themes:
Early childhood development
Parenting
Education
Post-secondary learning resources
Jobs and opportunities
Tools and resources
A celebration of excellence

News Release
September 19, 2003
"Premier Gordon Campbell today unveiled a new initiative ["AchieveBC"]aimed at helping all British Columbians achieve their goals, by providing a window to information from early childhood development to lifelong learning, career planning and job training.(...) For example, parents of newborns and toddlers have said they would like advice on nutrition, diet, health and safety. Parents of students want better information on each public school in B.C., learning standards for each grade and how they can help their children. Students want easier access to information on post-secondary institutions, programs offered, financial assistance and new career opportunities. And workers want to know where they can go for information on job training or starting their own business."
Source:

This link is a launchpad to many pages, including the following : Bills, Debates of the Legislative Assembly (Hansard), Votes and Proceedings, Orders of the Day, Legislative Committees, Standing Orders, Speech from the Throne, Revised Statutes of British Columbia, Regulations, Regulations Bulletins, Provisions in Force, Orders in Council and Ministerial Resumes, Message from the Speaker, Cabinet Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries, MLA biographies including office and constituency information, e-mail addresses, Visiting the Legislature, Online tour of the Legislative Chamber, Other Canadian Legislative Assemblies, Statutory Officers of the Legislature, Important Information, Frequently Asked Questions, etc. 
: Statutes - Regulations - Orders-in-Council - B.C. Regulations Bulletins - Order in Council and Ministerial Order Resumes - Act/Ministry Responsibilities
See also QPLegalEze (the link below this one) - one of these two may be more current or complete than the other...

(Queen's Printer - $)
An internet-based legal guide to the unofficial early consolidation of the statutes and regulations of the province of British Columbia.
- incl. links to : Revised Statutes of British Columbia - Complete Listing of Statutes with Associated Regulations - BC Regulations Bulletins - Order in Council and Ministerial Order Resumes - Proceedings of Bills - Legislative Assembly of British Columbia

See also:

- law library service (BC) - ($)
"Quickscribe is a Victoria-based, family owned business offering clients access to provincial legislation both in hard copy and online formats. We've been in business since 1984 and offer a more affordable alternative to the subscription based Queens Printer legislation service. Our online service is fully searchable, printable and includes and email notification service that alerts clients to recent amendments.

(formerly Employment and Income Assistance)
(formerly Human Resources)

- links to reports, manuals, books, brochures and other publications 

(Welfare)

Legislation

-

-


-
Source:

By Rob Shaw
November 20, 2009
VICTORIA — People with outstanding warrants for relatively minor offences — such as shoplifting or property damage — could be denied income assistance in British Columbia under a newly-passed bill the provincial government had claimed was supposed to focus on serious criminals.The confusion marks the latest hiccup in legislation that's believed to be the first of its kind in Canada, but which critics say is almost sure to face a challenge under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Source:

The legislation, as passed:

Third Reading Copy
17th day of November, 2009

The news release from the
Ministry responsible for welfare:

News Release
October 19, 2009
VICTORIA – The provincial government will restrict access to income assistance and disability assistance for people with outstanding indictable arrest warrants in B.C. and other provinces, as well as arrest warrants under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada). Indictable offences are the most serious types of offences and include a wide range of crimes such as assault, breaking and entering, drug trafficking, murder, assault with a weapon, and assault causing bodily harm.
Source:

Related links:

By Andrew MacLeod
October 19, 2009
British Columbia housing and social development minister Rich Coleman today introduced legislation that he says will prevent people with outstanding warrants for serious crimes from receiving welfare. But New Democratic Party critic Shane Simpson says the legislation will also affect people who have committed only minor crimes. “The minister has issued a press release that says one thing and a piece of legislation that says something very different,” said Simpson. “They have a blank cheque on who they can capture with this and that's inappropriate.”
Source:

October 19, 2009
.B.C. Social Development Minister Rich Coleman plans to cut off welfare and disability payments to people with outstanding arrest warrants. Critics are raising concerns about a new bill introduced by the B.C. government that would deny social assistance or disability benefits to anyone with an outstanding arrest warrant. The provincial minister for housing and social development, Rich Coleman, said the bill is aimed mainly at people from other provinces who move to B.C., although it applies to anyone with an outstanding warrant for an indictable offence anywhere in the country.
Source:

By Justine Hunter
October 20, 2009
While British Columbia seeks to deny welfare benefits to people who are wanted by police, it does not apply the same standards to people collecting provincial tax credits. The province does, however, deny inmates of federal prisons from receiving low-income tax credits, and is currently seeking to expand that exclusion to include prisoners in provincial jails. The province offers numerous tax credits to low-income earners, including sales tax and climate-action rebates. A government official said yesterday there are no plans to require a criminal background check to screen for outstanding warrants in those cases.
Source:

First-of-its-kind law to weed out those with warrants
for serious crimes based on a principle of ‘punishment,' civil liberties group says
By Justine Hunter
October 19, 2009
British Columbians seeking welfare and disability benefits will be denied assistance unless they agree to a criminal background check, under proposed new legislation tabled yesterday. Housing and Social Development Minister Rich Coleman told reporters that the law, expected to be in effect early in 2010, is meant to ensure the province is not paying benefits to people who are wanted by police in other jurisdictions for serious crimes.

Source:

---

News Release
October 29, 2009
VICTORIA – The Province has introduced the Assistance to Shelter Act to keep homeless British Columbians safe from extreme weather by giving police the authority to take people at risk of harm to emergency shelters, announced Housing and Social Development Minister Rich Coleman. (...) Police will have to be satisfied people are at risk of harm due to the weather conditions before taking them to an emergency shelter. Once at the shelter, they have the right to decide whether or not they want to stay at the shelter. The shelter may provide the opportunity for individuals to connect with outreach workers, who can help them access medical, financial and long-term housing supports. (...) The new legislation will apply to adults age 19 and older when an extreme weather alert has been issued for a community. It is expected that the legislation will be in place this winter. Youth are covered by the Child, Family and Community Service Act, which provides the framework for Child Protection Services.
Source:

The legislation:

"Explanatory Note: This Bill establishes a scheme for issuing and cancelling extreme weather alerts and enables police officers to transport persons at risk to emergency shelters when extreme weather alerts are in effect."

Related links:

October 29, 2009
By Darcy Wintonyk
The B.C. government introduced a controversial law Thursday that allows police to force homeless people to go to a shelter - but won't give officers the power to make them stay. Homeless advocates and provincial civil rights watchdogs have denounced the legislation, saying it is little more than a veiled attempt to clean up Vancouver streets before the 2010 Olympic Games.
Source:

---

April 2009 welfare stats:
(PDF - 81K, 6 pages)
Posted May 29, 2009
Source:

[ ]

Related links:

May 30, 2009
BC's latest welfare "statistics" were released mid-afternoon on Friday, May 29th. The "temporary assistance - expected to work" caseload increased 52.9% between April 2008 and April 2009. The total caseload increased by 14.4%, year over year. "Expected to work - two parent families" increased by 77.1%. Not only is the welfare caseload increasing, but the rate of increase is increasing! When the August 2008 data were released on the eve of the Vancouver by-elections, five months before the latest budget, the data showed an increase in "temporary assistance - expected to work" of "only" 20.2% and in the total welfare caseload of "only" 5.5%
[ incl. links to three related resources ]
Source:

The website of David Schreck, retired NDP MLA and active political pundit

By Andrew MacLeod
May 29, 2009
VICTORIA – The British Columbia welfare caseload continued to rise in April, according to government figures released today. The total number of cases grew by 0.7 percent since March. The number in the expected to work category receiving temporary assistance was 54 percent higher in April than it was in June 2008. The total number of clients, including those on disability assistance, was 161,780 in April. That's still significantly lower than the 244,821 in 2001 when the then new B.C. Liberal Party took office and tightened eligibility requirements. In 1995 there were 367,387 clients on the welfare caseload.
[ incl. links to three related resources ]
Source:

---

(PDF - 80K, 6 pages)
Source:

Related link:

May 15, 2009
The first crumb of what will likely be a lot more previously hidden bad news came out three days after the election when the Ministry of Housing and Social Services released welfare statistics (see "Related links" below) that should have been released by the end of April. The statistics for March 2009 show that for the category of "temporary assistance expected to work" the caseload increased by 49.8% between March 2008 and March 2009. The total welfare caseload is up 13.6% relative to a year earlier, and stands at the highest level since 2002. The welfare caseload has not only been increasing, but the increase has been accelerating. That was taking place in 2008 when Premier Campbell was still claiming that BC would duck the worst of the recession. It was worst yet during the election campaign when Premier Campbell was saying "Keep BC Strong". Thousands of British Columbians aren't looking at "keeping" BC strong, they just desperately want to regain their own strength.
Source:

(PDF - 279K, 16 pages)
2009 (PDF file dated April 24/09, 2pm)
The analysis in this report uses tax data from Statistics Canada to examine the income of clients that left assistance and never returned. It is a followup to a previous report, Outcome of those Leaving Assistance, which found that over 80 percent of employable clients who left assistance had employment income.
Specific findings of the report:
· Median total family income of clients, defined as aftertax aftertransfer income including employment income, is higher after clients leave income assistance and increases over time.
· Clients who left income assistance have income significantly higher, in some cases two to three times higher, than they would have receiving income assistance for the entire year.
· Most of the increase is attributable to increases in employment income.
· More...
Source:

[ ]

Related link from HSD:

(PDF - 61K, 6 pages)
February 2007
"(...) Since 2002, 88.2% of Expected to Work (ETW) clients who have left assistance and have not returned as of 2005 have employment income, are attending education or have other income in the year following their exit from IA."

By Andrew MacLeod
April 24, 2009
The British Columbia government has suppressed a report on what happens to people who leave the province's welfare system, but now is promising to release it today.
(...) The province has insisted that the rapidly declining welfare caseload has been the result of more people finding employment. Other research, including a (PDF - 599K, 8 pages) by Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives researchers, and , suggests tightening eligibility rules in 2002 played a large role in the decline. A recent report by provincial Ombudsman Kim Carter, (PDF - 2.2MB, 132 pages) , noted, “The ministry lacks evidence to support its conclusion that the reduction in the income assistance caseload is a result of people leaving assistance for employment.”
NOTE: The above article was posted in the morning on April and the Ministry posted its report (below) at 2pm (the timestamp on the PDF file).
The Tyee will quite likely have a followup article early in the coming week; check the Tyee home page for updates.
Source:

July 17, 2006
- includes : Message from the Minister and Accountability Statement * * Purpose, Vision, Mission and Values * Strategic Context * * Report on Performance * Goals, Objectives, Strategies, and Performance Measures * Deregulation * * Appendix A: Values and Service Code * Appendix B: Glossary of Terms
- highly recommended reading, especially the three links that you can click in the two lines above --- that's where you'll find (under "Core Business Areas") a good description of how Employment and Income Assistance (welfare) works in British Columbia, along with what they've accomplished and what they've spent in the past year, compared with what they said last year they would do and how much they planned to spend. There's much more info in the service plan, definitely worth checking out. You might also want to go to the to explore the plans for and , among others.

February 5, 2008
The Campbell government continues to suffer from the excesses of its first term. Time will tell whether the bungled sale of BC Rail, details of which are unfolding in the courts, will inflict damage before the May 2009 election. It still has not escaped the consequences of cutting the Ministry of Children and Family Development as if it were any other government department, and this week it is being reminded of its 2001 decision to cut the Mental Health Advocate. For a surprise on the list of memories, who would have thought that under the hard-hearted Campbell government the welfare caseload would increase?
Source:

------------------------------------------------------------

January 31, 2008
News Release
VICTORIA – The Province is offering an incentive package that consists of a knapsack, warm socks, a toque and a pair of gloves to encourage income assistance clients to sign up for direct deposit, announced Claude Richmond, Minister of Employment and Income Assistance.
Source:

<...and, if the writers of This Hour has 22 Minutes were writing the next line of the above news release, it would read : "Minister Richmond is pleased to report that the initial response to the direct deposit incentive has been quite positive among those Income assistance clients who would prefer to not freeze their feet, head and hands this winter.">

------------------------------------------------------------

December 06, 2007
VICTORIA -- Low-income British Columbians may soon get government-issued debit cards so they can manage assistance payments without facing hefty cheque-cashing fees or other problems. The project -- which follows a similar program in Alberta -- is meant to target the 24,000 low-income earners in the province who either don't have bank accounts or are otherwise ineligible to receive payments by direct deposit.
Source:

From :

- from

---

BC Employment and Assistance (welfare) Rate Tables
- (effective January 1, 2005)
- (effective January 1, 2005)
Source:

- also includes the latest rates for the following: Child in Home of Relative - Hardship Assistance - Hardship Assistance for Persons with Disabilities - Assets - Payment of Assistance [special needs] - General Supplements - Health Supplements and Programs - Fees for Medical Practitioners - Seniors Supplement
Source:

Related links:

March 23, 2005

"VICTORIA – The Province will invest another $1.25 million to boost supports to two existing programs for British Columbians who are most in need – including persons with persistent multiple barriers and persons with disabilities."

March 21, 2005

"VICTORIA – The province will spend close to $400,000 this year for expectant mothers in need and their babies, Minister of Human Resources Susan Brice announced."

March 14, 2005

"VICTORIA – Government is investing over $47 million over three years to improve access to dental treatment for young children and low-income families, Health Services Minister Shirley Bond and Human Resources Minister Susan Brice announced."

- British Columbia
"Effective March 27, 2006 the BCEA (welfare) Manual has been retired and replaced with an exciting* new information source – the Online Resource. The Online Resource incorporates information from a number of different sources into one user-friendly website, which will save time spent searching for up-to-date information and resources."

*"Exciting" isn't the first word that pops into most people's heads when they hear the expression "welfare information", but I, for one, found the old BC welfare manual more "exciting" because I could actually "find information" in there. The new manual has no hyperlinked table of contents - in fact, you have to open a PDF file to see the table of contents. And someone should tell the web design team that the plus sign to the left of a directory item (e.g., on the front page) is usually a simple piece of javascript that opens sub-directories, not just a graphic used in lieu of a bullet or a dash in front of each item in a list...

(Oct. 2004) - from
NOTE: Do spend some time exploring The Internet Archive --- you'll find it has not only obscure Canadian provincial welfare policy manuals, but also large collections of links to events, people and places...

-------------------------------------

News Release
April 3, 2006
"VICTORIA – Amendments to the B.C. Employment and Assistance Act and the Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Act – introduced today in the B.C. legislature – modernize eligibility criteria, obligations for income assistance clients, and conditions for sharing information. 'These amendments reflect our commitment to provide British Columbians with an income assistance system that is fair, caring and sustainable,' said Claude Richmond, Minister of Employment and Income Assistance. 'They will increase our ability to better serve our clients while at the same time strengthening and protecting the integrity of the British Columbia Employment and Assistance program.'

The amendments affect three areas of the legislation:
· definitions of dependant and spouse;
· sanctions for inaccurate reporting of circumstances; and,
· information-sharing agreements.
Source:

(PPMB)
Fact Sheet
Effective September 30, 2002
Updated August 3, 2004
The PPMB category of the BC welfare caseload applies those individuals who are unable to achieve financial independence because of specific barriers to employment.
Related Links:

[ ]

July 27, 2004

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June 11, 2004

News Release
May 17, 2004
"VICTORIA - British Columbians with disabilities will be able to participate more easily in the labour market because of an agreement announced today by the Honourable David Anderson, Minister of the Environment, on behalf of the Honourable Liza Frulla, Minister of Social Development, and the Honourable Stan Hagen, British Columbia Minister of Human Resources. 'Helping people with disabilities to participate fully as citizens of this country is a priority for all governments,' said Minister Anderson. 'Every British Columbian must have the opportunity to make a contribution to our economy and our society. I am so pleased to work with British Columbia on this national priority.'"
Source:

This agreement was signed under the , which replaced the Employability Assistance for People with Disabilities initiative in April 2004.
For more info about the national framework and the agreements signed with other jurisdictions to date, go to the Disability Links page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/disbkmrk.htm

June 30, 2003
"Children with disabilities in British Columbia will benefit from changes to vehicle and earnings exemptions being provided to their caregivers."

June 30, 2003
"Adult Income Assistance clients are now covered for routine eye exams as part of a new optical program."

News Release
April 23, 2003
"Government is establishing a $20-million endowment fund with Vancouver Foundation to help British Columbians with disabilities find and keep jobs, Human Resources Minister Murray Coell announced today.(...) The Minister’s Council on Employment for Persons with Disabilities will provide advice to the Vancouver Foundation on the disbursement of funds."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"The principal goal of the Council is to advise the Minister of Human Resources on solutions and strategies for increasing the employment, employability and independence of persons with disabilities, particularly through partnerships with business and industry throughout British Columbia."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

March 27, 2003
"People with disabilities will be able to keep more of what they earn with an increase to the earnings exemption from $300 to $400, Human Resource Minister Murray Coell announced today."

"The Ministry of Human Resources is spending more than $300 million over three years on job placement and training for jobs programs. It's working. Since this government took office over 15,000 income assistance clients have been placed in jobs through ministry contracted job placement agencies."
- incl. links to success stories for each program

March 3, 2003
Murray Coell, Minister of Human Resources, responds to the provincial budget.
- link to the full text of the Minister's speech.

Opinion Editorial
By Murray Coell
Minister of Human Resources
March 5, 2003

Feb. 26, 2003
"British Columbians leaving income assistance for work are almost tripling their income, according to the Ministry of Human Resources’ third exit survey of 1,512 former clients who have been off assistance for six months. “This survey continues the trend that sees the majority of clients moving into sustainable jobs, earning solid wages and becoming self-reliant,” said Human Resources Minister Murray Coell. “This is precisely the goal of B.C. Employment and Assistance: to assist people to move away from dependence and take control of their lives.”

December 11, 2002
"More British Columbia income assistance clients are successfully leaving assistance for work, according to the Ministry of Human Resources’ second exit survey of nearly 1,000 former clients."
Source :
This is the second report in a new series of quarterly welfare exit surveys conducted by the Ministry. It's also the second time the Ministry's numbers and conclusions will be called into doubt by advocacy groups.
"Completed between July and September, the survey found 92 per cent of individuals left income assistance for employment, educational opportunities, other sources of income, or because of a change in family or financial status. The majority – 66 per cent – left income assistance for paid employment. "

- Encouraging results they *would* be, except that the 92 per cent and 66 per cent figures are based only on the 994 people who replied, not the 2,000 who didn't. From a survey "cohort"(clients who were identified as having left the system between December 2001 and June 2002) - of 3,110 clients, over 2000 did not participate in the survey, and almost three-quarters of those because their phone was not in service. If their phone wasn't in service, social advocates would say that chances are greater that they would not have a job or other sources of income. Perhaps a more accurate statement would be : "...the survey found that 92 per cent of the one-third of the survey cohort who actually responded..."

Related Links:

- As a prerequisite to applying for income assistance, applicants are required (among other things) to complete a BC Employment and Assistance Orientation Session no more than 60 days before the date of their application. They can arrange to attend a session in person at an office of the Ministry, or complete this web session.
(Calculator) - key in some personal (or theoretical) numbers and this online calculator will tell you if you're eligible for income assistance and roughly how much you might expect to receive.

See also:

Ministry of Human Resources
Oct. 3, 2002
"A total of 15 companies were chosen for the Training for Jobs pilot program that will support 5,000 BC Employment and Assistance clients across the province by providing them with the specific skills training and job placement leading to sustainable employment. Payment will be based on clients completing their training and staying off income assistance for a year."

September 30, 2002
Information Bulletin
"Two new acts designed to ensure income assistance is available for people who need it most, while creating greater opportunities for employment, come into effect today."
NOTE: The two acts were actually proclaimed at the end of May, but the regulations under both acts have just been gazetted and are coming into effect now.

June 28, 2002

- incl. descriptions of changes to the following policies : Job Placement Program - Assets - Shelter Changes - Pharmacare - Medical Transportation - Diet - Medical Equipment & Devices - Hearing Aids - Orthotics and Bracing Devices - Physiotherapy, Chiropractic, Massage Therapy - Optical - Dental - Medical Services Plan - Health Benefits (Eligible Items, Non-Eligible Items)

June 25, 2002

Shelter Allowance eff. July 1, 2002
Support Allowance eff. April 1, 2002
Incl. max. benefit levels for :
- Income Assistance
- Disability Benefits
- Hardship Assistance
- Child in the Home of Relative Benefits
- Youth Works Living Allowances

Welfare Bills Passed Into Law
Both the Employment and Assistance Act and the Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Act were tabled for first reading in the BC Legislature on April ), and both were passed at the end of May.
Links to the final (Third Reading) version of each bill appear below

(May 28, 2002)
BILL
(Third Reading)
(May 29, 2002)
Bill
(Third Reading)
NOTE: these two bills were passed into law at the end of May 2002. The legislation appearing below will be repealed when the two bills come into force (by regulation)
BC Benefits (Income Assistance) Act and Regulation - BC Benefits (Youth Works) Act and Regulation - Disability Benefits Program Act and Regulation - BC Benefits (Appeals) Act and Regulation - BC Benefits (Child Care) Act and Regulation [NOTE: this last statute will not be repealed, but rather re-written and re-named Child Care Subsidy Act]

- this BC Legislative Assembly page offers links to all 14 debates on the Employment and Assistance program bills introduced by the Campbell Government.
Click on the Progress of Bills link and scroll down the page to numbers 26 and 27 for links to the debates in the BC Legislature.
You'll find hours of reading and tons of detail about welfare reforms in BC in these debates.
Here's just one sample of what you'll find here - proceedings from the final Committee debate on the proposed Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Act:
- final debate before the Bill was passed (you have to scroll about two-thirds of the way down the page (or use Ctrl+f to find the relevant section in this issue of Hansard
[Note: has close to 80 links to NGO critiques of the BC Government cuts.]

May 9, 2002
Ministry of Human Resources
"This program has been carefully reviewed to ensure that the subsidy is available to families who are most in need. The subsidy now reflects the principles guiding the BC Employment and Assistance program by targeting the subsidy primarily to working parents with low to moderate incomes and parents who are actively looking for work."

News Release (incl. backgrounder)
Government of British Columbia
April 15, 2002
"Income assistance in British Columbia is being redefined to focus on employment and self-sufficiency with the introduction of two new bills, the Employment and Assistance Act and the Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Act. The two acts replace four BC Benefits acts."

"The Ministry of Human Resources is committed to increasing independence through employment and providing services that support clients. As part of this shift to employment and active participation, you are required to carry out a three-week work search prior to applying for assistance."
- includes a PDF file and translations in nine other languages

- See the BC NGO Links page of this site for related links

Employment and Assistance Act
BILL 26 -- 2002
(April 15, 2002)
(May 28, 2002)

Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Act
Bill 27 -- 2002
(April 15, 2002)
(May 28, 2002)

NOTE: See the British Columbia NGO Links page for reaction to the new legislation

BC Employment and Assistance Initiatives Effective April 1, 2002
Fact Sheet
March 15, 2002
NOTE: this fact sheet is no longer available on the BC Human Resources website; the highlights below were copied directly from the fact sheet.

Some salient points :
- three-week wait from first contact until intake review
- child care subsidy reductions
- children living with relatives who are their legal guardians are considered to be part of that family and thus no longer eligible for "Child in the Home of a Relative" assistance.
- monthly limits on crisis grants for food, shelter, and clothing
- discontinuation of the the 25-per-cent earnings exemption
- elimination of the earnings exemptions for employable clients and people with level one disabilities
- increase in earnings exemption for clients with level two disabilities ("DB2")to $300/mo. (up from$200)
- discontinuation of exemptions for family maintenance payments and orphans' benefit from CPP and income from other specified sources
- full-time non-disabled post-secondary students in programs eligible for BC Student Financial Assistance (SFA) are not eligible for income assistance through the BC Employment
and Assistance program
- discontinuation of homemaker services; short-term, emergency home-support services are provided by local health authorities and other ministries.
- revised (downwards) asset limits
- security deposits will be recovered from BC Employment and Assistance cheques at $20 per month; all BC Employment and Assistance clients are limited to a maximum of two
outstanding security deposits (except where the recipient is fleeing domestic abuse or has to move as a result of sale or demolition of the residence)
[NOTE : BC is the first Canadian jurisdiction to impose a time limit for receipt of welfare]
- employable single parents receiving BC Employment and Assistance are expected to seek work when their youngest child reaches age three
- support rates reduced ("The support rate has been simplified to create standard rates for people under 65 years.")
- employable clients will be limited to a cumulative 24 months (two years) of income assistance out of every 60 months (five years); after receiving assistance for a total of 24 months in a 60-month (five year) period, eligibility will cease for single people and rates will be reduced for families with children
- work entry assistance is discontinued and clients' requirements for items such as work clothes will be considered through the new job-placement programs
- ongoing transition-to-work assistance is discontinued.

February 19, 2002
-
-

(PDF file, 22K) - January 17, 2002
- Major overhaul of the BC Benefits (welfare) program

July 2001
Information for those 65 years and over receiving federal Old Age Security/Guaranteed Income Supplement (OAS/GIS) and for those receiving federal Allowance (SPA).

Ministry of Social Development and Economic Security

The Self-Sufficiency Project (SSP)

- incl. links to the Attorney General's unofficial Consolidated Code including Bill 64 - the Tribunal's new Rules of Practice and Procedure effective March 31, 2003 - Human Rights Code - Rules of Practice and Procedure - Hearing Schedule - Decisions - Decision Index by year - Decision Index by ground - Tribunal Members - Judicial Reviews of Decisions - Practice Direction

August 10, 2005
"RICHMOND – Child care providers will benefit from an $8.1-million investment in child care supporting the creation of more quality child care spaces, staff training and other service improvements, Minister of State for Child Care Linda Reid announced."

- list of projects, number of spaces created and funding amounts

Related Link:

The Children's Commission and the Office of the Child, Youth and Family Advocate were eliminated in February 2002 and replaced by the Office for Children and Youth, which was established on September 30, 2002 "to consolidate key oversight and advocacy functions."
- incl. links to : Home | Contact Us | Crisis Hotline | Key Functions | Advocacy Information | Legislation| Public Reports

- links to almost two dozen online documents - Core Services Review Reports, Administrative Justice Project Reports and workplan

(PDF - 8.9MB)
Second Report on the Health and Well-being of Aboriginal People in British Columbia
Provincial Health Officer's Annual Report 2007
Release date June 25, 2009
This report contains eight chapters encompassing discussions on determinants of health, pregnancy, infants and children, diseases and injuries, physical environment, and health services, with a chapter devoted to recommendations on improving the health of the Aboriginal population in BC. In addition, with the availability of the 2006 Métis Nation BC Survey, a chapter is also provided on the health and wellbeing of the Métis population in the province. The report also includes examples of best practices, programs, and success stories in various Aboriginal communities in the province.

(PDF 1MB, 211 pages)
- extensive collection of vital statistics and demographic tables, including some comparisons of mortality and morbidity between status Indians and non-Aboriginal people.

Source:

[ ]
[ ]

From the :

(PDF - 40K, 3 pages)
News Release
March 23, 2009
VICTORIA – Today Ombudsman Kim Carter released her report, Last Resort: Improving Fairness and Accountability in British Columbia’s Income Assistance Program. All but one of the report’s 28 recommendations has been accepted by the Ministry of Housing and Social Development. (...) As a result of the Ombudsman’s investigation, the ministry agreed to make several practical improvements to income assistance programs that will benefit individuals...

Complete report:

(PDF - 2.2MB, 132 pages)
Public Report No. 45 to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
March 2009
- 28 recommendations covering:
* Applying for Income Assistance * Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers to Employment * Medical and Other Documentation Requirements * Implementation of Previous Commitments
Source:

Related link:

By Andrew MacLeod
March 23, 2009
The British Columbia government agrees with most of the Ombudsman's recommendations for fixing the welfare system, but says it may be delayed by the worsening economy. (...) The report is the result of a systemic investigation into the provincial welfare system sparked by a 2005 complaint from the B.C. Public Interest Advocacy Centre.
Source:

(PDF file - 55K, 1 page)
News Release
March 28, 2006
(Vancouver) Fifteen anti-poverty groups across BC are welcoming the Ombudsman’s report, released today, into complaints about unfairness at the BC Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance. As a result of the Ombudsman’s investigation, the Ministry has been making sweeping changes to policies and procedures, including to the application process and three week work search, reconsideration and appeal rights, and Ministry home visits.
Source:

(PDF file - 127K, 1 page)
Press Release
July 5, 2004
"B.C. Ombudsman Howard Kushner released his 2003 Annual Report, which outlines the achievements of his office for 2003. The report highlights achievements that occurred during a year of immense challenge and change for the Office of the Ombudsman. “Downsizing of staff, relocating the Victoria office, sharing space and services with other legislative officers, restricting investigative activities as a result of severe, cumulative budget cuts, and the planning for the closing of our Vancouver Office were some of the changes and challenges faced by the Office of the Ombudsman during 2003,” stated Kushner. Mr. Kushner noted that the processing of approximately 10,000 intakes and the closing of over 2,000 investigative files, all with fewer staff and less resources than in 2002, is a reflection of the hard work of his staff and of the office’s commitment to administrative fairness. Individual case summaries included in the report provide a sample of the results of some investigations."

(PDF file - 1.9MB, 35 pages)

- Frequently Asked Questions

- incl. links to : The Minister - Ministry News - General Responsibilities - Ministry Service Plan - Annual Service Plan Report - Reports & Publications - Ministry contacts - 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games - BC Council on Admissions & Transfer - Career Awareness - Ministry of Education - Ministry of Skills Development & Labour - Search for post-secondary programs - Apply for post-secondary institutions - Career Planning

is "the provincial government agency with responsibility for apprenticeships and industry training programs in B.C. The ITA is working to support existing apprenticeship options, and to identify new training approaches. This will lead to a training system that provides expanded opportunities for British Columbians, and better meets industry and labour-market needs."

November 4, 2004
"VICTORIA – The Province is moving to modernize and improve the administration of the Medical Service Plan and PharmaCare, Health Services Minister Colin Hansen said today."

Backgrounders (3) from the :

Health Services
December 6, 2001
VICTORIA - Effective Jan.1, 2002, the provincial government will make changes to British Columbia's Pharmacare and Medical Services Plan Supplementary Benefits programs in order to ensure British Columbians have the most vital health services while protecting access to those with lower incomes, Health Services Minister Colin Hansen announced today.

---------------------------------------------

News Release
Oct. 4, 2006
VANCOUVER – The Provincial Health Officer’s 2005 annual report finds B.C.’s commitment to a healthier, fitter population is the best way to reduce future health-care costs and provide British Columbians with the benefits a safe, nutritious diet can bring to their lives. “We can reduce health-care costs and broaden the ability of all British Columbians to access safe and nutritious food if we pay more attention to what we eat, reduce our portions and remain physically active. These are all basic health tenets,” said Provincial Health Officer Dr. Perry Kendall.

Complete report:

:
October 2006
(PDF file - 4.6MB, 166 pages)

Related link from (Ministry of Health):

September 2006
Children in care are known to have generally poorer outcomes than children who have never been in care. As the guardian of these children (through the Director under the Child, Family and Community Service Act), government has a special responsibility to develop strategies to improve these outcomes.
- incl. links to the complete report, an executive summary, highlights,

Source:

[ ]
[ ]
- see also

- Reports by year - Reports by subject - Search this Site - Upcoming reports

(PDF - 3MB, 44 pages)
March 2009
"(...) Given the complexity of the issue, reducing and preventing homelessness requires all levels of government to form a clear focus, a long-term commitment, and a coordinated effort.(...) We recommend that government develop a comprehensive plan to address homelessness."
Source:

Related links:

March 6, 2009
By Michael Shapcott
John Doyle, the British Columbia auditor, has just released a sobering review of homelessness programs that concludes that the provincial government “has not been successful in reducing homelessness. Clear goals and objectives for homelessness and adequate accountability for results remain outstanding. Government also lacks adequate information about the homeless and about the services already available to them — this hampers effective decision making. Finally, government has not yet established appropriate indicators of success to improve public accountability for results.” The auditor’s report echoes many of the themes raised by the United Nations’ Special Rapporteur on the Right to Adequate Housing in the final report on his fact-finding mission to Canada (See the links immediately below), which will be tabled at the UN Human Rights Council on Monday. The auditor calls for a much more thorough and pragmatic plan to end homelessness in British Columbia, and notes that many other jurisdictions have already adopted solid plans.

[ ]

By Ethan Baron
March 6, 2009
"(...) More than 7,000 of the Downtown Eastside's 16,000 residents are on welfare, many living in the 3,500 single-room-occupancy (SRO) rooms owned by private landlords. These SROs are in effect government-subsidized housing, with profits going in many cases — and I'm not pointing a finger at the Brandiz, revolting as it is — to some landlords and managers who scam tenants out of their welfare money.
Source:

[Comment : curious, isn't it, how this headline leads one to believe that the article might be about
welfare fraud, when in reality the fraud is perpetrated by unscrupulous private landlords ripping off welfare clients. Curious...]

See also:
: a year-long project by The Province, CKNW 980 and Global B.C.
We hope to engage the community in seeking solutions to the issues facing our most vulnerable citizens in the Downtown Eastside.
[ ]

-

BC Seniors' Guide - 8th edition (2006)
- click on links in the left column: Health Services * Housing * Transportation * Finances * Lifestyles * Personal Security * Other Services *
(1.8MB, 120 pages)

-

- latest month 

October 12, 2007
On the first anniversary of B.C.’s Housing Matters strategy, Premier Gordon Campbell and Housing Minister Rich Coleman today announced new and expanded measures to help break the cycle of homelessness with an added $41 million. (...) As part of the provincial housing strategy, Housing Matters BC, and building on the work of the Premier’s Task Force on Homelessness, Mental Illness and Addictions, the four new and expanded measures are:
· Increase funding for emergency shelters so they can be open 24 hours a day/seven days a week to provide better services and assistance for those who are homeless;
· Expanding homeless outreach services to 27 new and existing communities to connect homeless people to housing and support services, including a new Aboriginal component;
· Provide 750 rent supplement units to assist the homeless in the private market; and,
· The Province will fund pre-development costs to ensure city-owned sites will be ready for the start of construction of new supportive housing within a year. Pre-development costs include costs for third-party work, such as architectural, geotechnical and environmental plans and studies.
Source:

Related links:

October 12, 2007
Premier Gordon Campbell has constructed an intricate array of innovative responses to B.C.'s sprawling homelessness crisis -- but he's not building more housing.
Source:

News Release
October 3, 2006
VICTORIA – Housing Matters BC, an innovative and comprehensive housing strategy to help British Columbians access affordable housing, was unveiled by Minister Responsible for Housing Rich Coleman today. “This strategy will immediately assist approximately 15,000 low-income working families and homeless individuals,” said Coleman. “It’s also a new direction for housing, designed to provoke discussion about long-term solutions. We can only address homelessness and housing affordability if we all work together – long-term solutions require the co-operation of all levels of government, as well as organizations and volunteers dedicated to housing.”

NOTE: this news release includes a detailed backgrounder on all aspects of Housing Matters BC and links to more info for each component of the strategy--- the Rental Assistance Program (see the link below), the Provincial Homelessness Initiative, Homeless Outreach Projects, Independent Living BC, Home Ownership and Affordable Housing, and Modernization Strategy

The Rental Assistance Program provides direct cash assistance to eligible low-income, working families with children under the age of 19 and a household income less than $20,000 per year. The families must have lived in British Columbia for the last 12 months.

Related links:

VANCOUVER -- In an effort to ease British Columbia's swelling crisis in affordable housing, the provincial government is opting to give low-income families cash to better afford their rent. "This is not about building more [housing] units. This is about helping more people immediately," cabinet minister Rich Coleman said as he announced a $40-million rental aid program aimed at helping an estimated 15,000 families with annual incomes under $20,000.
Source:

(Queen's Printer)
An internet-based legal guide to the unofficial early consolidation of the statutes and regulations of the province of British Columbia.
- incl. links to : Revised Statutes of British Columbia - Complete Listing of Statutes with Associated Regulations - BC Regulations Bulletins - Order in Council and Ministerial Order Resumes - Proceedings of Bills - Legislative Assembly of British Columbia

Media
(HINT: Try clicking each media link below and searching their archive for specific words, e.g., welfare)



- "Canada's Largest Urban Weekly" [Vancouver]

This page provides information on region-specific services for Individuals, Business and Organizations.
Services include: Jobs * Financial Benefits * Employment Insurance * Taxes * Training and Careers * Identification Cards * Travel and Passports * Health * Consumer Information * Canada and the World * Environment and Resources * Economy * Public Safety * Culture and Recreation * Science and Technology.
Source:

May 2006
British Columbia's economy has rebounded sharply from the doldrums of the 1990s, according to a new study published today in Canadian Economic Observer. But the boom in this province is quickly creating shortages, notably for labour. This article looks at the current boom in BC differs from Alberta and what can be learned from Alberta’s experience.
Source:

[]

"The BC Archives Amazing Time Machine features eleven educational galleries covering BC. History topics drawn from the Province's K-12 social studies curriculum. The galleries have been designed for use by school children, their teachers and parents; however, the content will also appeal to anyone interested in British Columbia's history."
Source:

- Incl. links to : Who we are and what we do - Our research program - Supporting organizations - Centres of Excellence for Women's Health Program - Gender and Health Institute - Press Releases - New Projects Funded - Frequently asked questions - Publications - Grants - Resources - Health related links - Listservs - Meetings - Speaker series - and more

"Before becoming Northern FIRE, the Northern Secretariat was part of a national network of Centres of Excellence that began in 1996. Under the Women's Health Bureau of Health Canada, these Centres of Excellence were established to address the imbalance of health care and health status faced by women, particularly those who are socio-economically marginalized. Through policy-oriented research, the Centres of Excellence contribute to evidence-based decision-making about women's health, health care and health promotion."
- incl. Women's Health in a Northern Context - Our Community Activities - Our Research Publications and Activities - Links to Other Women's Health Sites
- 40+ links!

- Go to the website of the (Health Canada website)
- Go to the Canadian Social Research Links Women's Social Issues page

It's not social policy, but this collection of seven (times two) breathtaking panoramic photos of Vancouver in 1978 and 2003 is very impressive, and definitely worth sharing.
Clicking on one of the links opens a page with a photo of a particular section of the False Creek area in 1978; this photo slowly transforms into the same scene in 2003. Be sure to move the scroll bar at the bottom of the browser to the right as the photo changes to see the entire scene. If you use Netscape, this effect doesn't work, so you'll have to click "Rollover" and click on each of the two dates to see both photos. [You'll see what I mean when you try it.]
Excellent photographic evidence of the transformation of Vancouver in the last 25 years...
Source:

See also:
- British Columbia NGO Links (A-C)
- British Columbia NGO Links (C-W)

Site created and maintained by:
Gilles Séguin (This link takes you to my personal page)