Editorial: Richmond and the welfare kids

Times Colonist
Published: Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Is forcing a family of four to get through a month on $14 after they have paid for food and housing really a matter of pride for the government of "the best place on Earth"?

Income Assistance Minister Claude Richmond seems to think so. In a letter published in the Times Colonist yesterday, Richmond said he "must take issue" with the Victoria Foundation's Vital Signs report's assertion that a family of four living on income assistance in the capital region in 2006 did not receive enough to pay for food and housing.

"In fact the Dietitians of Canada report the foundation cites as its source states that in 2006 such a family in Vancouver would be able to meet these costs and have money left over," he wrote.

Richmond didn't say that the report found the family would have $14 left over after paying for food and housing. That's $14 to get a family of four through a month, for clothing and transportation and toilet paper and everything else.

Read the rest here.