The BC Government announced, today, December 8th 2020 that they would be decreasing the Covid-19 supplement from those on IA/PWD from $300 down to $150.

This supplement will be offered from January 2021-March 2021 and, unless announced again for an additional time, will end.

The issue?

Costs have increased dramatically since the start of the pandemic from groceries, delivery fees, and other services rendered. Despite the fact the pandemic should be settling with the inevitable delivery of the Covid-19 vaccine these prices will not go back to the way they were pre-pandemic by the end of March - if at all.

Those on Income Assistance and Persons With Disabilities have also struggled with rising prices during the pandemic and this $300 was a very welcome relief and this is a relief that we will need for longer than just this upcoming month. Although $150 as a supplement is still "extra" it will also be needed well beyond March 2021.

This petition is to implore the Government of British Columbia to put the amount back to $300 (in conjunction with the $500 top up people will be able to apply for starting the 18th of this month) and make it a permanent thing for those on IA/PWD or at least for the entirety of 2021.

IA is $760 and PWD is $1180 and this is abhorrent and unsustainable.

I am calling the government to go back to the drawing board on these changes, and do better for those who are vulnerable and the most at risk.