SOCIAL SERVICES

 

The Chamber believes that the policies of the Ministry of Human Resources should take into consideration the following:

 

1. that our social services, policies and programs recognise that most British Columbians can, and wish to, provide for their own needs;

 

2. that all social services schemes provide every possible incentive to encourage the rehabilitation and/or retraining of the individual as well as adequate benefits for those in real need;

 

3. that the minimum basic needs for the work force be provided through soundly financed programs of social insurance with full scope and incentives of private indemnity plans for the balance of income continuation.  Supplementary programs of social assistance should be constructed to obtain maximum incentives to work and save, and at the same time avoid abuses to both society and the individual(s);

 

4. that it is the moral responsibility of British Columbians to alleviate a lack of basic needs (food, shelter, clothing) and to provide opportunities that may achieve healthy productive lifestyles which are best achieved, in the short-term, through direct income support and appropriate counselling to the individual;

 

5. that it is the Ministry's primary task through education, training, rehabilitation, placement and other similar programs to prepare all able citizens to become capable of self-support and to make their contribution to our economic growth, as economic growth is a fundamental and an essential prerequisite to any adequate program of social security;

 

6. that improved coordination be brought about between the various levels and types of government to ensure that adequate funds and services are available to all those in real need, while at all times avoiding duplication of services; and

 

7. that a greater incentive for those individuals on income assistance be provided to encourage self-support and that consideration be given to establishing an “easement formula.”