Income Assistance Rates

WHEREAS basic income assistance rates have not been increased for twelve years and rates are not high enough for a person to afford safe and secure housing, eat nutritious food and look for work; AND WHEREAS increasing income assistance rates will increase purchasing power in low income areas, providing customers for local businesses and revenue for landlords to upgrade premises and reduce the need to panhandle, dumpster dive and engage in prostitution and illegal activities for money: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the provincial government be urged to increase income assistance rates by a substantial amount.