December 01, 2005

Two new reports show that despite BC’s booming economy over 100,000 people on welfare are left behind.

Vancouver, British Columbia – Thousands of British Columbians with low incomes, especially those on income assistance, do not have enough money to secure safe and adequate shelter or food. Two new reports released jointly today by the Dietitians of Canada, BC Region and the Social Planning and Research Council of BC highlight the stark realities of living on income assistance.

“You can’t afford fresh fruits or vegetables… You’re stuck eating Welfare Diet: all carbohydrates,” says one woman on income assistance. “That many carbohydrates turn you into a blimp. Well eventually, as a blimp, you get diabetes and in the process of losing everything that you are, were, could have been, should have been, used to be, could have had… you lose yourself.”

The Cost of Eating in BC report from the Dietitians of Canada, BC Region and the Community Nutritionists Council of BC profiles the hardships faced by families living on a low income. It is well-documented that people with low incomes have a higher incidence of chronic illness. The report shows that the non-shelter portion of income assistance does not cover the cost of a healthy diet. Families on BC assistance are forced to visit the food bank to survive.

“All British Columbians deserve the right to have enough healthy food,” says Shefali Raja, a registered dietitian. “A healthy diet is key to preventing and treating chronic diseases such as diabetes. If we are to be the healthiest jurisdiction ever to host the Olympics then we must pay attention to low income British Columbians—we must act now.”

In Left Behind: A Comparison of Living Costs and Employment and Assistance Rates in BC, SPARC BC researchers assess the adequacy of income assistance rates in BC. The report clearly demonstrates that the maximum income assistance rates in BC remain too low to sustain anyone requiring income support. Worse, income assistance recipients are being squeezed harder than ever, as the benefit levels in BC have remained static despite rising shelter, heating, transportation and food costs. Left Behind shows that welfare recipients are forced to live on incomes that fall at least $730 short per month of what is required for an adequate standard of living.

“Individuals and families on income assistance in BC live in legislated poverty,” says Michael Goldberg, Research Director at SPARC BC and co-author of Left Behind. “These people are left behind in a prosperous province with a booming economy. With a budget in surplus, what possible reason could the government have for keeping people hungry?”

For more information or to arrange an interview contact:
Shefali Raja, Media Spokesperson
Dietitians of Canada, BC Region
604-707-3640

Michael Goldberg, SPARC BC
604-718-7738

The complete reports may be downloaded from:
The Cost of Eating in BC -- download from link below

Left Behind: A Comparison of Living Costs and Employment and Assistance Rates in BC – http://sparc.bc.ca/resources_publications/left_behind