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The reduction of the IA & PWD monthly supplements to $150 + the recent #FoodBank fundraising success = people having to travel across town, stand in line, be surveilled and accept whatever is given out instead of buying the food they want and need.
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#300Clawback
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#300Clawback
From a response to @300tolive's survey on the impact of the $300 supplement: "If the $300 is made permanent, we will have a healthy diet instead of relying on cheap carbs from food banks." https://bit.ly/33XzlM9 #FoodSecurity #bcpoli
Those receiving the $300 used it first and foremost FOR FOOD. From @300tolive's survey: "Many respondents mentioned the low quality and poor nutrition value of the cheapest available food, and the scarcity of fresh food available at food banks." https://bit.ly/33XzlM9
"I had enough to eat properly this month instead of going hungry for the last week before payday as I usually do.” - “I've been able to eat proper meals every day for the first time in 5 years (the length of time that I've been on PWD).” https://bit.ly/33XzlM9 #PWD
Needing adequate income to maintain food security isn't rocket science and study after study show the connections between food insecurity and poverty. A 2017/2018 report from @proofcanada https://bit.ly/3m4P81I
https://bit.ly/3m4P81I
"The persistently high prevalence of household food insecurity across Canada highlights the need for more effective, evidence- based policy responses by the federal government to address the social and economic circumstances that give rise to this problem."
From a 2017 report from @DietitiansCAN: “The underlying cause of household food insecurity is financial constraints – not having enough money to pay for food." https://bit.ly/2JT9m1B #poverty
This is all to say: we need #IncomeBased solutions that allow people to make decisions for themselves, keep themselves healthy, and protect dignity. We need to let go of the #CharityModel that perpetuates poverty.
This is also to say: that while food prices increase and the pandemic continues the LAST thing we need is a decrease in IA and PWD supplements. https://bit.ly/3gAofld #COVID19 #COVID19BC #bcpoli #IncomeAssistance
We call for #IncomeBased solutions and an end to #Clawbacks @jjhorgan @NicholasSimons @selinarobinson
