Government Home Page

Government Directory
Government News Releases 
Search/Browse by Ministry or by Topic 

AchieveBC - 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 sites

Nodice Elections: British Columbia (from Nodice Elections)
Deceive BC: the Hospital Employees' Union's election web site
BCPolitics.ca
The Tyee Election Central

Office of the Premier

Government of British Columbia Home Page
Premier's Speech at the swearing-in ceremony
News release (June 16)
List of new cabinet ministers
Summary of ministry responsibilities

Executive Council of the Government of British Columbia - from the website of the Office of the Premier - new Cabinet with biographies.

Google News search Results : "British Columbia, new government cabinet"
Google Web Search Results : "British Columbia, new government cabinet"
Source:
Google.ca

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

Premier Announces New Cabinet
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."

Executive Council (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:

Trouble for Campbell with 40 Unhappy MLAs
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:
Strategic Thoughts.com

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

AchieveBC - 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

New Initiative to Help British Columbians Reach their Goals
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: Office of the Premier

Legislative Assembly
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. 
Legislation : 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...

QP LegalEze (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:

Quickscribe Services - 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.

Ministry of Housing and Social Development
(formerly Employment and Income Assistance)
(formerly Human Resources)

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

News

BC Employment and Assistance Programs (Welfare)

Legislation
Employment and Assistance Act
- Employment and Assistance Regulations
Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Act
- Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Regulations
Child Care Subsidy Act
- Child Care Subsidy Regulations
Source:
Statutes and Regulations of British Columbia

 

Here's where you'll find the most recent welfare stats from BC:  BC Employment and Assistance Caseload Statistics - latest month and time series (Scroll to the bottom of the page for archives going back to 1996) - extensive caseload breakdowns by case type, family type, family size, single male / single female split, and more - incl. stats on Continuous Assistance cases (Persons with disabilities or persistent multiple barriers to employment) Other Research - links to MHR Exit Surveys

April 2009 welfare stats:
BC Employment and Assistance Cases by Program - April 2009 (PDF - 81K, 6 pages)
Posted May 29, 2009
Source:
Ministry of Housing and Social Services
[ links to current and earlier welfare statistics ]

Related links:

More bad news for welfare
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:
Strategic Thoughts.com
The website of David Schreck, retired NDP MLA and active political pundit

New BC welfare numbers show continued climb
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:
The Tyee

---

BC Employment and Assistance Cases by Program - March 2009 (PDF - 80K, 6 pages)
Source:
Ministry of Housing and Social Services

Related link:

Welfare in BC Up 49.8% - Revealed Post Election
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:
Strategic Thoughts.com

Income Levels of BC Employment and Assistance (BCEA) Clients after They Leave Income Assistance (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:
Ministry of Housing and Social Development (HSD)
[ Ministry reports ]

Related link from HSD:

Outcomes of Those Leaving Assistance (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."

Province refused to release report on welfare leavers
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 landmark study (PDF - 599K, 8 pages) by Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives researchers, and past Tyee coverage, suggests tightening eligibility rules in 2002 played a large role in the decline. A recent report by provincial Ombudsman Kim Carter, Last Resort (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:
The Tyee

2004/05 – 2006/07 Service Plan: Ministry of Human Resources

2005/06 Annual Service Plan: Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance
July 17, 2006
- includes : Message from the Minister and Accountability Statement * Highlights of the Year * Purpose, Vision, Mission and Values * Strategic Context * Service Delivery and Core Business Areas * Report on Performance * Goals, Objectives, Strategies, and Performance Measures * Deregulation * Report on Resources * 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 service plan page for all Ministries to explore the plans for Children and Family Development and Health, among others.

BC Welfare Caseload Up
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:
Strategic Thoughts

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

January 31, 2008
Province invests $200,000 in Direct Deposit initiative
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:
Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance

<...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.">

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

B.C. to put welfare payments on government debit cards
System to free recipients from cheque fees and carrying cash
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:
Vancouver Sun

 

JobWave "JobWave™ is the most successful employment program in the history of British Columbia, continually bringing innovation to the field of job placement." Source: WCG International WCG International will run the JobsNow pilot in six pilot communities in cooperation with municipal Ontario Works offices. Related Link: JobsNow (Ontario) - "Brighter Futures, Stronger Communities" A website of WCG International ------------------------ New Employment Program Means More Job Success July 26, 2006 KAMLOOPS – The new $35-million BC Employment Program has been successfully launched by the Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance. This means 15,000 income assistance clients in British Columbia will have an even better chance of finding and keeping a job this year. (...) The new BC Employment Program replaces two existing programs – the Job Placement Program and Training for Jobs – and is managed by GT Hiring Solutions (2005) Inc., the BC Society of Training for Health and Employment (THEO BC) and WCG International Consultants Limited." July 12, 2006 More Support for Low-Income B.C. Families (PDF file - 21K, 2 pages) - two-page document highlighting the accomplishments of the BC Government with respect to low-income families. Related Link: Budget 2006 - Focus on Children (video) "...more information on increased government supports for British Columbia’s children." Source: British Columbia Budget 2006 - February 21, 2006

From BC Stats:

Social Statistics
Labour and Income Statistics - from BC Stats

---

BC Employment and Assistance (welfare) Rate Tables
Income Assistance rates - (effective January 1, 2005)
Disability Assistance rates - (effective January 1, 2005)
Source:
BC Employment and Assistance Rate Tables
- 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:
Ministry of Human Resources (MHR)

Related links:

March 23, 2005
Increased supports for people most in need
"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
Province promotes health for moms and babies
"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
Enhanced dental program benefits British Columbians
"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."

Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance
Online Resource - 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...

"Retired" BC Employment and Assistance Manual (Oct. 2004) - from The Internet Archive
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...

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

Changes Modernize BC Employment and Assistance Act
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:
Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance

Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers (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:
Persons with Persistent Mutiple Barriers
Persons with Disabilities
[ BC Employment and Assistance Program ]

July 27, 2004
Fact Sheet: Sponsorship - Obligations and Responsibilities
Fact Sheet: Sponsorship Default - Next Steps

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

June 11, 2004
Updated Brochure: Assignment of Benefits for People Waiting for Employment Insurance (EI)

Canada and British Columbia sign an agreement to assist people with disabilities
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:
Social Development Canada (SDC)

This agreement was signed under the Multilateral Framework for Labour Market Agreements for Persons with Disabilities, 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

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

Eye Exams Focus on Those in Need
June 30, 2003
"Adult Income Assistance clients are now covered for routine eye exams as part of a new optical program."

$20 Million Helps People with Disabilities Access Jobs
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."

Backgrounder

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

Minister's Council on Employment for Persons with Disabilities
"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."

Minister's Council Reports

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

Greater Supports for People with Disabilities
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."

Job Placement (JP) Program Successes
"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

Ministry on Track with Commitment to Sound Fiscal Management
March 3, 2003
Murray Coell, Minister of Human Resources, responds to the provincial budget.
- link to the full text of the Minister's speech.

Income Assistance Changes Support People in Need
Opinion Editorial
By Murray Coell
Minister of Human Resources
March 5, 2003

Feb. 26, 2003
Leaving Welfare for Work Triples Income
"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.”

More Income Assistance Clients Finding Jobs
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 : Ministry of Human Resources
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:

BCEA Web Orientation Session - 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.
Income Assistance Estimator (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.

Information for Persons with Disabilities

Employment Program for Persons with Disabilities

See also:
BC Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities

Training for Jobs Program Pilot
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."

Income Assistance Changes Protect Disabled, Promote Jobs
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
Policy Manual Manual Amendment #2
- 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
Income Assistance and Disability Benefits Rates
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 15 (2002), and both were passed at the end of May.
Links to the final (Third Reading) version of each bill appear below

Employment and Assistance Act (May 28, 2002)
BILL 26 -- 2002
(Third Reading)
Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Act (May 29, 2002)
Bill 27 -- 2002
(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]

Progress of Bills - 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:
May 29 Committee Debate proceedings (Hansard) - 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: PovNet has close to 80 links to NGO critiques of the BC Government cuts.]

Child Care Subsidy - New Policy
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."

New Acts Provide Assistance, Opportunity, Independence
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."

Work Search Guidelines
"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."
Other versions - 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
First Reading version (April 15, 2002)
Third Reading version (May 28, 2002)

Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Act
Bill 27 -- 2002
First Reading version (April 15, 2002)
Third Reading version (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
- Ministry of Human Resources Service Plan, 2002/2003 - 2004/2005
- Employment Programs - Contract Planning Fact Sheet

Ministry of Human Resources Service Plan Summary (PDF file, 22K) - January 17, 2002
- Major overhaul of the BC Benefits (welfare) program

Seniors Supplement
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).

Annual Performance Report 2000/2001
Ministry of Social Development and Economic Security

The Self-Sufficiency Project (SSP)

.

BC Human Rights Tribunal
- 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

Ministry of Children and Family Development

News Releases

Funding Creates Child Care Spaces, Supports Providers
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."

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

Related Link:

Child Care in British Columbia

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

Office of the Ombudsman

Resources and Publications

From the Office of the Ombudsman, Province of British Columbia:

Ombudsman recommends improvements to Income Assistance (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:

Last Resort: Improving Fairness and Accountability in
British Columbia’s Income Assistance Program (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:
Office of the Ombudsman, Province of British Columbia

Related link:

Welfare application process 'unduly complex': Ombudsman
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:
The Tyee

Ombudsman report reveals underlying problems in welfare ministry (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:
British Columbia Public Interest Advocacy Centre (BCPIAC)

Fairness and Accountability in Public Administration Remain Paramount in Victoria (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."

Office of the Ombudsman Service Plan 2004/05 – 2006/07 (PDF file - 1.9MB, 35 pages)

Ministry of Finance

Economic Plan Supports Families and Boosts Productivity
October 22, 2008
Premier Gordon Campbell outlined 10 measures to improve the province's economic competitiveness and reduce costs for families and business.
[News release]
[Premier's statement]
[Watch the video]

Gordon Campbell's dramatic economic plan for B.C. unveiled
October 23, 2008
VICTORIA - Premier Gordon Campbell unveiled a dramatic 10-point economic plan Wednesday that promised cuts to taxes, changes in government spending and even a temporary cut to ferry fares.
Source:
Vancouver Sun

Poorest to Pay for Campbell Plan?
A few points short of a full plan.
BC already has highest poverty rates in Canada. The premier's new economic program does nothing to change that.
By Marjorie Griffin Cohen and Seth Klein
October 28, 2008
Gordon Campbell's 10-point economic plan will have no impact on B.C.'s most serious problem -- persistent and extreme poverty in this province.
Source:
TheTyee.ca

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

British Columbia Budget 2008
Budget home page, includes links to all budget papers, backgrounders, the Government's Fiscal Plan and Strategic Plan, along with Ministry and Crown Agency Service Plans and Estimates of proposed spending by ministry and government agency for the coming fiscal year.

Budget 2008 : Greener Future, Stronger Economy
News Release
February 19, 2008
VICTORIA — wide range of new measures to address climate change, promote greener choices, and encourage economic investment will allow British Columbia to meet the challenges of the future, Finance Minister Carole Taylor announced with the release of Balanced Budget 2008.

Budget Highlights
HTML
PDF (1.6MB)

Budget Speech
HTML
PDF (218K)

Budget Backgrounders
[ scroll to the bottom half of the page for links to the following backgrounders: ]
• Fiscal Plan 2008/09-2010/11
• B.C.’s Revenue-neutral Carbon Tax
• $1 Billion for Climate Action
• Investing in B.C.’s Economic Competitiveness
• Illustrations of Tax Impacts 2009

Balanced Budget 2007
February 20, 2007
"Balanced Budget 2005 focused on seniors. Balanced Budget 2006 concentrated on the needs of our children. And this budget — the third of five the government will table in its current mandate — is dedicated to housing, which affects us all." (Excerpt from budget highlights)
- incl. links to all budget papers

Budget 2007 Builds a Housing Legacy
News Release
VICTORIA — A comprehensive range of new supports for British Columbians, including a $250 million Housing Endowment Fund, will help address the housing challenges created by a growing economy, Finance Minister Carole Taylor announced today with the release of Balanced Budget 2007.

Budget Highlights
HTML
PDF

Ministry Service Plans, 2007/08 to 2009/10
- recommended reading if you want to know what each of the ministries is planning for the next three years.
Here (below) are service plans for the ministries responsible for welfare and children's services in British Columbia (follow the service plans link to access other ministries' service plans).

Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance
Service Plan, 2007/08 to 2009/10
HTML
PDF (578K, 52 pages)
NOTE: if you're interested in the "welfare wall" effect (i.e., the loss of non-cash benefits such as supplementary health and dental benefits when someone leaves welfare for a job), I highly recommend:
Appendix 3: What Benefits Do Clients Retain
When They Leave Income Assistance For Work?

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

British Columbia Budget 2006 - February 21, 2006
- incl. links to all budget documents

Budget 2006 Concentrates on B.C.’s Children
News Release
February 21, 2006
"VICTORIA — Enhanced services for children and expanded skills training programs lead a range of new measures designed to keep British Columbia growing with confidence, Finance Minister Carole Taylor announced with the release of Balanced Budget 2006."

Budget 2006 Highlights
- see especially "Improving and Expanding Services for Children" and "Strengthening BC's Communities" for info about budget commitments in the areas of services for children ($421 million over four years), homeless people ($8 million) and clients of income (welfare) assistance ($16 million).

Ministry Service Plans
NOTE: go to the main BC Budget page for links to all Ministries' service plans (only a few are highlighted below)

Office of the Premier HTML | PDF (280KB)
Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation HTML | PDF (297KB)
Advanced Education HTML | PDF (363KB)
Agriculture and Lands HTML | PDF (434KB)
Attorney General
Law Reform, Justice, Legal Services to Government and
Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism HTML | PDF (335KB)
Children and Family Development HTML | PDF (436KB)
Community Services HTML | PDF (314KB)
Economic Development HTML | PDF (288KB)
Education HTML | PDF (384KB)
Employment and Income Assistance HTML | PDF (425KB)
Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources HTML | PDF (327KB)
Environment including Environmental
Assessment Office HTML | PDF (410KB)
Finance and Associated Entities HTML | PDF (361KB)
Forests and Range and Minister Responsible for Housing HTML | PDF (546KB)
Health HTML

BC Budgets for earlier years

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

Balanced Budget 2005:
Towards a Golden Decade for British Columbia
- links to all budget papers

News Release
February 15, 2005
"VICTORIA – A strong economy and sound fiscal management paved the way for tax reductions benefiting lower and modest income British Columbians, increased funding for health, education and other key programs, and a record $1.7 billion debt reduction, Finance Minister Colin Hansen said today as he tabled Balanced Budget 2005."

- Backgrounder
- Highlights

Improved Support for Seniors at Heart of Budget Debate
BC Ministry of Finance
News Release
Sept. 14, 2005
"VICTORIA – Improved support for senior citizens is at the heart of new budget measures that also include a significant fund for First Nations and tax reductions to help keep B.C.’s economy strong, Finance Minister Carole Taylor announced with the release of the September Budget Update. The September Budget Update provides an additional $242 million over three years to improve the lives of senior citizens. New measures include:
· Renewing the Seniors’ Supplement, to provide a monthly benefit for approximately 40,000 low income seniors;
· Doubling annual funding for the Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER) program, to improve subsidies for lower income seniors who rent, and expand coverage to those who own manufactured homes and pay monthly pad rentals; the changes will apply to approximately 12,000 seniors already receiving SAFER benefits and open the program to an additional 7,200 senior citizens; and
· Updating existing seniors’ health facilities and strengthening and modernizing the full range of services for seniors, to help them live as independently as possible."

September Update - Balanced Budget 2005
BC Ministry of Finance
Sept. 14, 2005
- incl. links to all budget papers as well as the BC Government Strategic Plan for 2005/06 – 2007/08 and Service Plans Updates for all BC ministries, for example:
--- Employment and Income Assistance
--- Children and Family Development
--- Community Services
NOTE: these service plan updates often contain interesting program and policy nuggets --- use the links in the left-hand margin of each Ministry's page (above) to explore the content of each plan.

Google Web Search Results : "british columbia, budget, september 2005"
Google News search Results : "british columbia, budget, september 2005"
Source:
Google.ca

More Canadian Government Budget Information:
- Go to the Canadian Government Budgets Links page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/budgets.htm

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

From the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives - BC Office:

Provincial budget fails to address BC's social deficits
News Release
February 15, 2005
"Vancouver - The provincial government’s pre-election budget, tabled today, fails to address BC’s social deficits, according to the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. 'The government claims that its approach is balanced. Its approach for the last four years, however, has been anything but,' says Seth Klein, the CCPA’s BC Director. 'BC has seen a significant redistribution of income from the poorest among us to the wealthiest. This budget fails to restore the deep and painful spending cuts of recent years. Spending outside health and education remains $1.2 billion lower than in 2001/02.'”

Related Link:

Surplus should be reinvested in people and communities
CCPA outlines budget choices in 2005 BC Solutions Budget
News Release
February 7, 2005
(Vancouver) The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives says the priority for this year’s provincial budget should be reinvestment in people and communities. “The government is set to finish the year with a record surplus of over $2 billion, and a projected surplus in 2005/06 of $1.4 billion,” says Seth Klein, Director of the CCPA’s BC Office. “Our number one priority should be to undo the damage from deep spending cuts. We should not lock them in place with further tax cuts or make payments on the provincial debt.”

Summary: BC Solutions Budget 2005 - PDF File, 98 Kb
BC Solutions Budget 2005 - PDF File, 457 Kb

Source:
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives - BC Office
[See also the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives - National Office ]

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

Google News search Results : "British Columbia Budget 2005"
Google Web Search Results : "British Columbia Budget 2005"
Source:
Google.ca

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

British Columbia Budget 2004 - links to all BC Budget papers and related information in HTML (for quick online viewing) and PDF (for printing).
All of the links below are to the HTML versions

Balanced Budget 2004: Bringing out the Best in B.C.
News Release
February 17, 2004
"VICTORIA – Government has delivered on its promise to introduce a balanced budget for Fiscal 2004/05, Finance Minister Gary Collins said today. 'We have introduced a balanced budget for 2004/05 and are on track to beat our bottom line target for last year, despite more than 41 billion in unexpected costs from forest fires, floods, SARS, BSE and changes to federal equalization,'said Collins."

Highlights
(Excerpt)
- "B.C's status as the #1 job-creating province per capita in Canada has enabled 87,000 British Columbians to leave income assistance since June 2001."
- "Balanced Budget 2004:
--- increases the Ministry of Human Resources budget by $80 million from last year's plan;
---will sustain the higher rate of income assistance and access to specialized employment programs that these recipients [people with disabilities and people who face persistent, multiple barriers to employment] receive.
Since Budget 2003, over $100 million has been added to the Ministry of Children and Family Development's budget to protect the health and safety of children, families and adults with developmental disabilities. In 2006-07, $14 million will be added to the ministry budget to support the child and youth mental health plan."

Budget Speech
Budget and Fiscal Plan
Summary of the Budget and Fiscal Plan 2004/05 - 2006/07
Legislation Summary (Bill 5 — Budget Measures Implementation Act, 2004)
Main Estimates (small PDF file with active hyperlinks to estimates for each Ministry)
Supplement to the Estimates (small PDF file with active hyperlinks to supplementary estimates for each Ministry)
British Columbia Government Strategic Plan 2004/05 – 2006/07

Selected Ministry Service Plans:
[Go to the BC Budget Page for links to service plans for all ministries]
Office of the Premier
Children and Family Development
Community, Aboriginal and Women's Services
Finance
Health Services
Human Resources

Source:
BC Ministry of Finance

Google.ca News Search Results : "british columbia budget 2004"
- links to recent media coverage of the BC budget

Related Link:

2004 Budget Highlights
"Endlessly repeating that the budget is balanced won't make it so"
February 17, 2004
Source:
Strategic Thoughts.com

For info on other Canadian jurisdictions' budgets, go to the Canadian Social Research Links Canadian Government Budgets page

Ministry of Small Business and Revenue

BC Family Bonus

BC Family Bonus and Earned Income Benefit - Frequently Asked Questions

Ministry of Advanced Education
- 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

Publications

Ministry of Skills Development and Labour

Industry Training Authority (ITA) 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."

Ministry of Health Services

News Releases

Pharmacare

Medical Services Plan

Government moves to improve the BC Medical Services Plan and Pharmacare services
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 Ministry of Health Services:

Improving MSP and Pharmacare Services
Improving Privacy and Confidentiality
Maximus BC / Alternative Service Delivery

Changes to health benefit plans to achieve cost savings and fairness
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.

Office for Seniors

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

Office of the Provincial Health Officer

A Better Diet Will Reduce Health Care Costs
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:

Food, Health and Well-Being in British Columbia:
Provincial Health Officer's Annual Report for 2005:
October 2006
(PDF file - 4.6MB, 166 pages)

Related link from Public Health Special Reports (Ministry of Health):

Joint Special Report:Health and Well-Being of Children in Care in British Columbia:
Report 1 on Health Services Utilization and Mortality
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:
Annual Reports
[ Office of the Provincial Health Officer ]
[ Ministry of Health ]
- see also Ministry of Health Publications

Auditor General
Reports to the Legislative Assembly - Reports by year - Reports by subject - Search this Site - Upcoming reports

Homelessness : Clear Focus Needed (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:
Office of the Auditor General of British Columbia

Related links:

BC auditor confirms that province's homeless programs "not successful"
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.
Wellesley Institute Blog
[ Wellesley Institute ]

The stench of vanishing money:
How Downtown Eastside welfare fraud adds to the area's misery and squalor
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:
The Province
[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:
Operation Phoenix : 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.
[ more about Operation Phoenix ]

Ministry of Community Development

- Seniors

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

- Women's Services

Labour and Social Statistics
Income Assistance (BC Benefits) and Employment Insurance Recipients
- latest month 
Population Statistics

.

BC Housing

Province Expands Homeless Shelters, Housing Supports
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:
Government of British Columbia

Related links:

Housing Matters BC
Premier’s Task Force on Homelessness, Mental Illness and Addictions

No New Homes in Premier's Homelessness Plan
Coleman challenges cities to "step up."
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:
TheTyee.ca

New Strategy Improves Housing for Families, Homeless
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

Rental Assistance Program
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:

B.C. subsidies aim to help families pay rent
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:
The Globe and Mail

QP LegalEze (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)
Victoria Times-Colonist
Vancouver Province
Vancouver Sun
Georgia Straight - "Canada's Largest Urban Weekly" [Vancouver]
TheTyee
Monday Magazine
Columbia Journal

Service Canada Regional Information:
British Columbia and Yukon
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:
Service Canada
Human Resources and Social Development Canada

The West Coast boom, 2005
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:
Canadian Economic Observer
[Statistics Canada]

Amazing Time Machine
"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:
BC Archives - BC Royal Museum

B.C. Centre of Excellence for Women's Health
- 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

Northern FIRE : Northern Secretariat of the BC Centre of Excellence for Women's Health
"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
Women's Health Links - 40+ links!

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

The Changing City
Vancouver in 1978 and 2003
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: City of Vancouver website

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

 

CANADIAN SOCIAL RESEARCH LINKS HOME PAGE

PAGE D'ACCUEIL - SITES DE RECHERCHE SOCIALE AU CANADA

Search the Web Search Canadian Social Research Links Only

TIP: How to Search for a Word or Expression on a Single Web Page  Open any web page in your browser, then hold down the Control ("Ctrl") key on your keyboard and type the letter F to open a "Find" window. Type or paste in a key word or expression and hit Enter - your browser will go directly to the first occurrence of that word (or those exact words, as the case may be). To continue searching using the same keyword(s) throughout the rest of the page, keep clicking on the FIND NEXT button. Try it. It's a great time-saver!

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

E-MAIL: gilseg@rogers.com