April 19, 2005

VICTORIA – Premier Gordon Campbell pledged today to create new opportunities for people in need by increasing the amount of money people with disabilities, and people with persistent multiple barriers, can earn without affecting their benefits.

“We are advancing our third Great Goal – to build the best system of support in Canada for persons with disabilities and special needs,” said Campbell. “We are increasing the amount that people with disabilities, and others with persistent multiple barriers to employment, can earn without penalty while on income assistance.

“This will significantly increase the take-home pay for those most in need who are working hard to supplement their income assistance. It will also build upon the action we took last year to give people with disabilities the biggest increase in their allowance in BC history and previous increases that doubled the earnings exemption for people with disabilities. That’s the power of a strong economy.”

The 57,000 British Columbians currently receiving disability assistance will see their exemption rise to $500 from $400. That 25 per cent increase builds on the doubling of the exemption from $200 to $400 granted by the BC Liberal government in 2001. When combined with current disability benefits, it means a monthly income of up to $1,356 a month – up $370 since the NDP was in power.

The 14,000 British Columbians with persistent multiple barriers to employment would see their earnings exemption rise from $300 to $500 – a 67 per cent increase. Combined with current benefits, that means a potential income of $1,108 a month.

“The increased earnings exemptions build on the real progress made in helping low- and middle-income British Columbians keep more of their own money,” said Campbell.

Lower income British Columbians have benefited from the following BC Liberal initiatives and investments:

• Eliminated provincial income taxes entirely for everyone earning under $15,500 a year – benefiting 330,000 people. 
  
• Reduced or eliminated provincial income taxes for the 730,000 people earning less than $26,000 a year.
  
• Reduced or eliminated MSP premiums for 290,000 people.
  
• Lowered or eliminated prescription costs for 280,000 low-income people through Fair PharmaCare – 82 per cent of British Columbians now pay less or nothing at all.
  
• New strategies dealing with homelessness, mental health and addictions treatment – including a Mayors’ Task Force and more funding for shelters – and a social housing budget that is 50 per cent higher than under the NDP.
  
• Increased the number of child care spaces that are eligible for funding by 32,000 – and made 10,000 more children eligible for child care subsidies.
  
• Tripled the combined funding for early childhood development and autism.
  
• Highest budget ever for transition housing for women and children fleeing violence.
  
• Increased access to dental coverage for children in low-income families and people on income assistance from 63 per cent to 80 per cent of the dentists’ fee guide.
  
• Doubled the dental coverage limit for persons with persistent multiple barriers from $500 to $1,000.  

“This is a pivotal election – British Columbians will decide who is really best to lead BC forward and keep our economy going strong so that we can continue to improve the support we offer to people who need the most help in our society,” said Campbell.

“The choice is clear: a BC Liberal government that will keep directing the benefits of a revitalized economy to the most vulnerable, or an NDP that failed to manage the economy and let people in need fall behind.”