BC Coalition of Women’s Centres
For immediate release
April 16, 2002

Women’s Centres Condemn Changes to Income Assistance Legislation

Don’t get sick or injured in BC, don’t inherit any diseases, don’t grow old and have your health fail, don’t be a woman and don’t count on this government to care about you if you are anything but healthy and employed says the BC Coalition of Women’s Centres.

The latest nightmare in the struggle for dignity in BC has just unfolded.  Minister Coell has tabled legislation that will in fact cost people their lives and quality of life. The most outrageous changes include:  having a lien put on your home after six months of receiving income assistance, the requirement to repay benefits given to you, the requirement for 2 years consecutive employment prior to being eligible for Income Assistance, the redefining of disability which will no longer include excessive drug costs, the total absence of an equitable and just appeal system, a restricted right to appeal and the complete change in the basic philosophy of a social safety net.

The Government of BC has outdone itself with this latest move.  After attacking unions, hospitals, schools, and services to children with autism, seniors, women and children, they are now stealing basic entitlements from the people worse off in BC.

Dodie Goldney of the Kamloops Centre says, “The only people in this province paying for this agenda and for big business are the ones who have the least to give.  This government is shameful.

“It is as if we are all being picked off one at a time in this province- “ survival of the fittest” is an elitist, pro-business attitude that has no place in government says Debra Critchley of the Vernon Women’s Centre.

Anti-poverty advocates, women’s groups and others are once again appalled at this government’s lack of consultation and on the eve of new legislation have little or no information, in order to do their jobs.  This government is everything except honest, transparent and accountable.

Minister Lynn Stephens apparently had nothing to say, and held true to form of abandoning women and children in this province. There are no advocates for the poor in this government. Not one member of government has lived up to their responsibility to ensure security or safety of British Columbians.  Women will be forced to stay in abusive relationships, children over 16 will be told to find work, families of adults with disabilities will have the rug pulled out from under them and all British Columbians will be hurt by this legislation.  Communities will be faced with increased crime, increased poverty, and escalated degrees of desperation.

We urge this government to immediately halt pushing this legislation through and begin consultation with those most affected.  We urge this government to come to their senses and end the attack on the poor in BC. 

The BC Coalition of Women’s Centres puts this government on notice- we will not accept this draconian and regressive legislation, we will continue to resist and fight for the rights of women in BC.