WHEREAS income security and food security are inextricably bound, and the number of people who are food insecure in municipalities in BC continues to rise in spite of an ever-growing number of charitable food redistribution efforts; AND WHEREAS enabling people to feed themselves with dignity requires everyones participation, and Canada is obligated under international law to provide an adequate standard of living which includes the human right to adequate food and nutrition; with the most comprehensive way to do this being for all levels of government to accept their responsibilities to develop policies and programs that will end hunger in Canada: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM urge the provincial government to ensure food security for all British Columbians and eliminate the need for food banks by implementing measures that provide adequate and accessible income support for the non-employed and improve the earnings of those in the low-wage workforce.
Ministry of Social Development Social Innovation Addressing food security is a complex issue that spans several program areas. Employment at a decent wage is the key to successfully ensuring income and food security. Since May 2011, the minimum wage has increased three times to 10.25 per hour, making it among the highest in Canada. The Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation Ministry provides employment services and supports to help unemployed British Columbians find and keep a job through the Employment Program of BC. More than 108,000 people have received Employment Program of BC services since the program was launched April 2, 2012. Of those who have been provided and completed case management services, about 50 percent have found employment. Income support through the Ministry is intended to help eligible British Columbians temporarily while they look for work, and to provide additional support for those who have a disability. Rates need to be sustainable and at a level that provides an incentive for employable clients to find and keep full-time jobs. The Province must also balance what is fair to individuals seeking assistance and what can be supported by the current fiscal plan. The current rate structure takes into account all provincial and federal tax credits, child benefits and other available programs and support for low-income families and families on income and disability assistance. In addition, all clients are eligible for health and other supplementary benefits to meet a variety of unexpected or additional needs and Persons with Disabilities clients receive significant additional health benefits, including dental and optical coverage and medical supplies and equipment. These include nutritional supplements to provide for additional dietary costs faced by people with certain medical conditions and pre and post-natal mothers. Although the Province is not in a financial position to consider an income assistance rate increase at this time, exploring innovative, low-cost ways to improve services to people receiving assistance continues. In October 2012, the Ministry implemented new policies that allowed clients, especially families with children, to increase their monthly income. These changes included implementing earnings exemptions for employable clients, increasing the earnings exemption for Persons with Disabilities and exempting income tax refunds and retroactive Family Bonus payments. The Province will continue to work with communities, stakeholders and individuals to explore other initiatives to improve the income and disability assistance system. Its also important to recognize the numerous other government supports available for low income and vulnerable individuals and families, such as: -Subsidized housing and rental assistance for low income families; -Child care subsidies; -MSP Premium assistance; -CommunityLINK funds, which help school districts provide breakfast and lunch programs; -Financial support for community gardens and farmers markets; and -Investing a total of 4-million in a Farmers Market Nutrition Coupon Program over two years for lower-income pregnant women and families and seniors to buy locally grown fruit, veggies and meat. In addition, the Ministry of Children and Family Development is working with the Representative for Children and Youth and UBCMs Healthy Communities Committee to develop and implement local poverty reduction strategies that address the real challenges families are facing in metro, urban, rural and remote settings in a number of pilot communities.