I don’t know where Niels Veldhuis gets his information. I know of an individual who had two children and an income of less than $800 a month including social assistance. Not too bad I guess when the average rent for a three-bedroom home is somewhere in that neighbourhood.
Of course, the landlord would not make repairs like fixing the septic system. I purchased a mobile home and moved them into town, and low and behold their social assistance dropped to $200 per month and the children were now over 18.
It did not matter that they were unable to get work. Yes, unable to get work. All their applications for employment led nowhere. I have gone to the MP’s office and the MLA’s office for assistance, but it appears they, for some reason, do not qualify.
What about work camps like they had in the ‘20s and ‘30s I inquired. No, too much liability. It seems like the only solution is to let them starve or let someone come to their aid. But we will not allow that person to claim the aid as a deduction because he/she did not donate through a registered society.
OK, at 68 I will jump through the hoops and try to get a society going. But, of course, I will not be able to claim the $200,000 I spent over the last three years trying to keep someone from going in to care and helping these families. That’s all right. If I can manage to get more work, I’ll just pop more pain killer and keep working.
I’d even settle for a senator’s seat, but I have no political affiliation, so that lets that avenue out. Perhaps we have too many agencies involved and each one finding loopholes for others to look after those less fortunate.
OK, I’ve had my rant. If anyone out there is looking for an older employee, my phone number is 250-492-6028.
Bob Richards
Penticton