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.
Thread #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 

"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

@ccpa @BCFSN @CCAPdtes @pivotlegal @CWP_CSP @povnet @RFBSociety @ugm @CCPA_BC @DisabAllianceBC @InclusionBC @MOSAICBC @AOC @LWforfamilies @JenStDen @FirstCallBC @SingleMothersBC @SPARCBC