B.C. Liberals Cut Services for Low-Income British Columbians
VICTORIA – The B.C. Liberals’ chaotic cuts to health, wellness and preventative services for low-income British Columbians will hurt children and families and lead to higher costs for the province in the long run, the New Democrats said today. 
Shane Simpson
The B.C. Liberals quietly announced late Thursday that they will be cutting supports for things such as contraceptives, medication delivery devices, funeral services and shelter allowances for low-income individuals, children and families.
“These cuts are appalling,” said New Democrat housing and social development critic Shane Simpson . “While B.C. grapples with the highest child poverty rate in the country, rising homelessness, and a growing gap between the rich and poor, the B.C. Liberals are cutting services and programs for the most vulnerable.”
“Many of these cuts are in the area of preventative health and will only end up costing the health care system more in emergency visits and deteriorating health,” said New Democrat health critic Adrian Dix . “The B.C. Liberals own fiscal incompetence has again left low-income families paying the price.” 
Adrian Dix
Simpson said the cuts announced yesterday are compounded by the recent B.C. budget, which failed to address the growing social inequality seen under the B.C. Liberals.
“There was nothing in this year’s budget to address child poverty, the growing income gap, or lack of affordable housing,” said Simpson.
Simpson also pointed to cuts to social programs last fall in which the B.C. Liberals pulled funding for community mental health and addiction services and hit programs for children with fetal-alcohol damage and children who witness abuse.
Under the B.C. Liberals, B.C. still has the highest poverty rate in the country at more than half a million British Columbians, and ranks eighth out of 10 provinces for social condition according to the government’s own Progress Board.
Carole James and New Democrats will continue to hold the B.C. Liberals to account for their broken promises while proposing alternatives to build a strong, modern and sustainable economy for all British Columbians.
