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VICTORIA
– Amendments to the B.C. Employment
and Assistance Act and the Employment and Assistance for Persons with
Disabilities Act – introduced today in the B.C. legislature – modernize
eligibility criteria, obligations for income assistance clients, and conditions
for sharing information.
“These
amendments reflect our commitment to provide British Columbians with an income
assistance system that is fair, caring and sustainable,” said Claude Richmond,
Minister of Employment and Income Assistance. “They will increase our ability
to better serve our clients while at the same time strengthening and protecting
the integrity of the British Columbia Employment and Assistance program.”
The
amendments affect three areas of the legislation:
·
definitions of dependant
and spouse;
·
sanctions for inaccurate
reporting of circumstances; and,
·
information-sharing
agreements.
The
first amendment is intended to ensure that definitions for dependant and spouse
clearly capture true spousal dependency relationships and reflect the values
enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. That is, roommates,
friends and adult relatives who reside together will be assessed for
eligibility as individuals and not as a family unit. At the same time, a spouse
who is a member of a family unit and who temporarily relocates for employment
will continue to be responsible to provide for their partner and children.
The
second amendment is intended to encourage clients to accurately and completely
report any changes to their circumstances. This includes changes to income,
assets, employment and dependant status. This amendment further strengthens and
protects the sustainability and integrity of the British Columbia Employment
and Assistance Program.
The
third amendment is intended to allow the ministry to more effectively
participate in cross-government research projects and initiatives and explore
new methods for improving service delivery for income assistance clients. All
agreements entered into by the ministry will be governed by the Freedom of
Information and Protection of Privacy Act – the strongest privacy legislation
in Canada.
The
amendments are expected to be implemented in the summer of 2006.
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contact: |
Director of Communications 250 387-6489 |
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