A Mother's Day message for Premier Gordon Campbell

On this Mother’s Day, it’s worth remembering how the Gordon Campbell government has made life more difficult for single moms on social assistance.

An employable single mom with two kids over the age of three receives $375.58 each month and a maximum shelter allowance of $660 each month. That adds up to $1,035.58 for a family of three, according to government figures.

If she makes any extra money through part-time work, this is deducted dollar-for-dollar from her government benefits.

If her former partner makes spousal payments, the amount is deducted dollar-for-dollar from her government benefits.

This essentially means that if she obeys the law and she collects no more than $375.58 per month through work or spousal payments, her income is frozen. Most jurisdictions in North America allow people on welfare to earn a little extra pocket money, but not the Gordon Campbell government.

Because the federal government harmonizes income assistance with the provincial government, the B.C. Liberal regime's income-assistance policies also apply on  Native reserves, where there aren’t many employment opportunities.

Nevertheless, prior to applying for income assistance in B.C., people are expected to look for work for three weeks, according to the Campbell government's rules. During that period, they are expected to “access other potential sources of income” and “keep a detailed record” of their work search.

They must also bring a current resume and a record of employer contacts to an interview to assess whether or not they qualify for income assistance, according to the Ministry of Housing and Social Development.

During the NDP years, a single mother was put into the “expected to work” category when her children turned seven.

The Campbell government changed the policy and a single mother has been put in the “expected to work” category after all her children turn three—regardless of whether or not there is childcare available.

The B.C. Liberal government has done a couple of things to make life a bit easier for the working poor. It introduced a new rent-supplement program and eliminated provincial income tax for the poorest people in the province.

But the Campbell government has also gone out of its way to make life miserable for single moms who can't find childcare and who face some of the most stringent social-assistance rules on the continent.

These policies have probably pushed some of these single moms into the sex trade because it's the only way they can afford to look after their kids and make enough money to keep food on the table and put a roof over their head.

Is it any wonder that despite our province's great wealth,  B.C. has had the worst child-poverty rate in Canada  for five consecutive years under the B.C. Liberals?

Happy Mother's Day, Mr. Premier.