B.C. Liberals are giving themselves carte blanche to cut off social assistance to anyone wanted on outstanding arrest warrants, warns an NDP critic.
The law casts such a broad net a single mom who shoplifts to feed her hungry kids would be effected, said NDP MLA Shane Simpson.
The first reading of Bill 14 yesterday in Victoria called for access to income assistance and disability assistance to be restricted for anyone with outstanding indictable arrest warrants across Canada, along with warrants under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
Support would continue to be offered to family members.
The intent of the proposed law, according to a statement, is to target "serious" offences such as assault, drug trafficking and murder.
Simpson said the government did outline offenses in a press release but failed to do so in the bill before legislature.
"It's concerning that a government, who has statutory obligations around income assitance might use this tool to reduce eligibility," he said.
The proposed changes are scheduled to be in effect by early 2010.
