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Throne Speech promises long-overdue action on climate change, but ignores need to improve the lives of working families
February 13, 2007
Victoria - Today's Throne Speech promises long-overdue action on climate change, but ignores the need to improve the lives of working families and ensure everyone shares in BC's economic growth, says Angela Schira, Secretary-Treasurer of the B.C. Federation of Labour.
Schira expressed disappointment on behalf of the hundreds of childcare advocates who had gathered today on the lawns of the Legislature to protest the provincial government's cuts to childcare funding. "Working parents are struggling to find affordable childcare and all they hear from the provincial government today is silence. They don't understand that we can't solve the labour shortage if we don't solve the childcare shortage," Schira added.
The Federation was also disappointed that the Throne Speech largely ignored the government's own report on Aging and Seniors' Issues, instead only committing to ending mandatory retirement. "The Campbell government ignored every recommendation that would have ensured seniors live longer in dignity, instead they only want seniors to work longer," said Schira.
"Next week's budget still offers the government a chance to reverse their mean-spirited cuts and take serious steps to addressing BC's growing poverty," said Schira, noting that the base rate for social assistance hasn't increased since 1991. "Instead we continue to see a housing strategy that abdicates the provincial government's responsibility to restore funding and puts the onus for action on municipalities."
The Campbell government missed a huge opportunity today to announce a boost to the minimum wage and tell BC's lowest paid workers that they too will benefit from BC's economic growth. "A quarter of a million workers would immediately benefit from an increase in the minimum wage to $10 per hour," Schira stated.
The Federation also noted the government's commitment to taking action to address climate change. Earlier this month, the B.C. Federation of Labour joined a coalition of environmental labour and community groups in calling for clear province-wide targets for mandatory emissions reductions. "We know we must take serious and urgent actions for our environment," Schira said. "Hopefully the government will include all stakeholders, including labour, in the discussion."
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For more information contact: Jessie Uppal 604-430-1421 or 604-220-0739.
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