BC Federation of Labour Slams Budget

Tuesday, February 17, 2009 04:13 PM

The B.C. Federation of Labour is slamming the provincial budget saying it does nothing to help those who are suffering through job loss “For hundreds of thousands of British Columbians facing the worst economic crisis in modern times, this budget does nothing” says Jim Sinclair, B.C. Federation of Labour President.

The Federation had called on the government to make major investments in public and human infrastructure. In addition to public works infrastructure projects, the Federation was calling for major spending increases in public housing as well as education and training programs to prepare unemployed workers and young people for future jobs.

“The budget makes it clear that the recession has not hit the Premier’s office” says Sinclair. “The government has committed to spending $350 million on a new roof for BC Place at the same same time it fails to provide new funding for the homelessness crisis that grips most communities in the Province, This is just one example of a government set of priorities completely different from those of working families.”

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Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 04:13 PM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: Harbinger on February 17 2009 4:42 PM

Do we have what is called "free trade" across Canada with the homeless? Kinda like equalization payments? Maybe all the mayors of all towns and cities with homeless problems can ask Ottawa for funding. Obviously, Vancouver and Victoria will get more homeless money from the government than Ellesmere Island would. We must improve the lot of the poor homeless people no matter where they are. Come to think of it, I never read or heard much about the homeless problem in the sixties. The drug culture to blame? Day care ladies not doing their jobs? Self esteem obsessed teachers passing kids all the way through school without caring if the kid could read? Never hear about Chinese people in Canada being homeless. must be the work ethic they instill in their children. I'm sure there is an answer to all this. All I have is speculation and perception. Other than those I don't have much to deal with.

Posted by: caranmacil on February 17 2009 10:41 PM

I agree with Harbinger regarding the lack of real information regarding homelessness. I think there is a lot of political correctness involved. I also think there is a lot of gamesmanship on the part of advocacy groups. I wonder if they will ever publish some of the criteria used to define homelessness? I also wonder home the provision of beds/affordable housing wll benefit those who are currently homeless. After all welfare will pay your rent for you if you have the wherewithall to apply for it. As i understand it it is pretty hard to get kicked off of welfare. If people are capable of applying for welfare, etc. how will they be able to apply for free/cheap housing?
When will the govt admit that closing down mental health institutions in favour of integrating the mentally ill has not worked? Why do we have so many people on the streets who are obv. mentally ill? Who cares for these folk? Who keeps track of them? WHo sees that they get their meds? WHo really thinks that these folk, or the hopelessly drug addicted will be accomodated in any way by the government funding some studies, or putting up more rent assisted future slums?