SURREY – On the occasion of National Hunger Awareness Day today, Surrey – Whalley New Democrat MLA Bruce Ralston has announced that he is donating $2000 to the Surrey Food Bank, an important organization in his riding that is struggling to cope with the needs of people impacted by the B.C. Liberals’ uncaring policies. 

“All individual B.C. Liberal MLAs had the opportunity to defeat the bill last week but they refused to do so,” said Ralston. “Under the leadership of Carole James, all NDP MLAs have decided to donate their pay increases to worthy causes in our communities.Bruce Ralston 

“Surrey Food Bank continues to do crucial work addressing the basic needs of the most vulnerable in my community - as more and more people get left behind under the current government,” said Ralston. 

Statistics show that more than 40% of food bank users in B.C. are now children and almost 60% of the households accessing food banks are families with children.  

Ralston noted that during a time that poverty has reached record levels in B.C., it is shameful that the Campbell Liberals have passed this legislation, which sees Premier Gordon Campbell’s salary go up by 54 per cent and the MLAs’ base salary by 29 per cent.  

“At a time one in four children in B.C. is living in poverty and the gap between the rich and poor has reached an unprecedented level, the Campbell Liberals’ move to give themselves a massive pay increase is simply appalling,” said Ralston. 

Bruce Ralston

Surrey-Whalley

Bruce Ralston was re-elected as the MLA for Surrey - Whalley on May 12, 2009. He was first elected to the Legislature in 2005.