The provincial ministry responsible for the welfare system normally releases caseload statistics at the end of each month, but on the eve of the election has so far failed to release its April report.
“For at least six months the monthly welfare data were showing double digit increases,” said David Schreck, a former NDP strategist who pays attention to welfare issues. “They are sitting on it undoubtedly because it's bad news and they don't want it coming out during the election campaign.”
The most recent caseload report (as of 3:45 p.m. on May 11) on the Housing and Social Development ministry's website is dated March 31 and uses data from February 2009.
That report showed, the Tyee reported, a 42 percent climb in people in the “expected to work” category from a year earlier.
Updated statistics, using data from March, would have been released by April 30 or shortly after if the ministry kept its usual schedule.
The Tyee sent e-mail or made calls to three different spokespeople for the ministry asking why the report was delayed, but none responded by posting time.
The Liberal government tightened welfare eligibility requirements in 2002, a factor in the large increase in homelessness, Schreck said. With the caseload and budget rising faster than expected, he added, a re-elected Liberal government may be tempted to do the same thing again.
Andrew MacLeod is The Tyee’s Legislative Bureau Chief in Victoria. Reach him here.
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dorothy
2 years ago
Thank you
For reporting this. Now we know two things, one, it looks bad, and two, we have anything but the open and tranparent government we were promised back there.
It is now up to us, the voters, to act accordingly. Who do we think can do best for us given what the government has decided to ignore? Obviously not them, if this is their approach.
gamedev
2 years ago
Another transparent example
of the BC Liberals lack of honesty. If it looks bad, just cover it up. Maybe they can release the data tomorrow night, after the election but during the count. If this had been the NDP it would have been on the front page of the CanWest media as an example of no accountability. What a joke. CanWest deserves to go bankrupt, which in itself says something about Campbell's gang and their "buisness acumen"...
WHAT
2 years ago
Bye Bye CanWest
Showing signs already,,,the Times Colonist is no longer puting out their Monday paper, cut backs. They made some poor business choices! Who do they hang around with?
DPL
2 years ago
Release something that would
Release something that would look bad for Saint Gordo, the love of us all, not likely. Maybe it's before the courts. Polls open in 11 minutes. See you there and be sure to carry a bunch of ID or the open and accountable government won't let you vote. Time for big changes in BC
freebear
2 years ago
So Mark Your 'X' today
Open and transparent!
Sounds like the emperor's clothes!