B.C. Liberals promise welfare rate hike days before government is expected fall
VICTORIA — There will be a promise to raise welfare rates in British Columbia by $100-a-month in the government’s throne speech on Thursday, which is expected to set in motion the defeat of the Liberals after more than 16 years in office.
Social Development Minister Michelle Stilwell said Monday the government wants to raise rates after freezing them for more than a decade.
Stilwell did not provide details about the increase other than to say it would take effect either in September or January. A single person on welfare in B.C. currently receives $610 a month.
An official in Premier Christy Clark’s government, who did not want to be named, confirmed the monthly $100 increase, estimated to cost almost $107 million over three years.