Campaign against time-limited welfare
In 2002, the newly elected BC Liberal Party made sweeping changes to welfare legislation and policy, reducing eligibility and benefits for people in need of social assistance. One of the most controversial changes was the imposition of a time limit for people considered able to work. Under the new legislation – the first of its kind in Canada – people considered employable would only be able to receive welfare for up to 2 years in any 5-year period, with mandatory denial or reduction of assistance after 2 years regardless of individuals’ needs.
Under the Employment and Assistance Act (S.B.C. 2002 Chapter 40) and the Employment and Assistance Regulation, people who have received welfare for more than 2 years in a 5-year period face the following penalties:
| Recipient |
Penalty |
| Single persons |
No eligibility for welfare for three years |
| Couples without children |
No eligibility for welfare for three years if both persons are over the 2-year time limit; reduction of $300 if one person is over the 2-year time limit |
| Single-parent families |
$100 reduction |
| Two-parent families |
Reduction of $200 if both parents are over the 2-year time limit; reduction of $100 if one parent is over the 2-year time limit |
Across BC there was both organized and spontaneous opposition to the time limits, including criticism from unexpected quarters such as the mainstream media. In response to mounting public pressure, in February 2004 the Liberal Party announced a new policy listing 25 exemptions to the time limits to reduce the numbers of people who would be cut off welfare. Although the campaign was successful in temporarily protecting social assistance for several thousand people, the time limit legislation remains, leaving people on welfare uncertain what the future holds.
The following materials provide information on the campaign opposing the 2-year time limit.
VIPIRG materials
External materials
Resolutions and statements against time-limited welfare
|
Cranbrook City Council
Resolution |
|
Nanaimo City Council
Social Planning Advisory Committee report to council and resolution (pages 12-14 of PDF file) |
|
Smithers City Council
Summary of presentations and Council's resolution
(pages 3-4 of PDF file) |
 |
Vancouver City Council
Summary of presentations to Standing Committee of Council on Planning and Environment, and the committee's resolution |
|
Vancouver School Board
Resolution and discussion
(pages 4-7 of PDF file) |
|
Victoria City Council
Resolution
(page 5 of PDF file) |
| |
|
|
Letter to Premier and Prime Minister
Signed by 125 organizations |
|
West Coast Women's Legal Education & Action Fund
Submission to the Select Standing Committee on Finance |
Research reports
Articles and conference papers
Other materials
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