B.C. Liberals Renege on Promise to Fund Social Service Worker Pension Plans
VICTORIA – As cash-strapped social service agencies across the province are still reeling from cuts to grants and contracts, the B.C. Liberals appear to be dealing another blow and reneging on their commitment to fund social service worker pension plans, say the New Democrats. 
Shane Simpson
Social development critic Shane Simpson pressured Finance Minister Colin Hansen in question period this week over whether the B.C. Liberals would be following through on their 2006 commitment to enroll community social service workers into municipal pension plans - a deal that was to take effect at the end of this month.
“The B.C. Liberals assured community service agencies that they would cover the employers' costs to fund this pension commitment,” said Simpson. “Those assurances are now unraveling, and the government is telling these organizations they will largely be on their own to find the money elsewhere.”
Simpson says the potential loss of the funding commitment could cost community social service organizations as much as seven per cent of their salary budgets.
Minister Hansen refused to make any commitments, only saying the government has been working with this sector to look at the cost implications of the transition.
Camille Lagueux, executive director of the Campbell River Family Services Society says this is the first time she’s heard that the government is working with the sector.
“I haven’t heard from this minister or any B.C. Liberal for that matter on what is happening with our pension plan commitment,” said Lagueux.
“What we know is that this commitment comes due on March 31,” said Simpson. “What we know is that after the offset of existing RRSP money, there's a $12 million unfunded commitment this year and a $20 million unfunded commitment next year for over 200 organizations across this province.
“I’m calling on the finance minister to stand up for these frontline workers and tell them they won't have to face yet another download from the B.C. Liberals.”
Carole James and the New Democrats have been holding the B.C. Liberals accountable for breaking their word on the HST, and for backtracking on their election promises to protect health care, education, and other vital services.
