June 22, 2009
VICTORIA - Documents obtained through a Freedom of Information request show the Campbell government's Public Affairs Bureau instructed ministry officials to cancel the release of damaging welfare caseload stats during the spring election campaign, New Democrat leader Carole James said today.
The welfare stats set for regular release on April 30 were finally made public May 15, 2009. They showed a significant increase in welfare rolls, reflecting high unemployment and resulting in additional budget pressures.
"These documents show that the highly politicized Public Affairs Bureau cancelled the routine release of these damaging welfare caseload numbers during the election. It's clear the Campbell government put its political interests ahead of the public's right to information about B.C.'s economy and fiscal situation," said James.
"Two weeks ago, we learned that the government wasn't telling the truth about health care cuts in B.C.'s health authorities. Now we learn that the Campbell Liberals directed the bureaucracy to hold back the truth about exploding welfare rolls," said James. "That's wrong. The premier owes an explanation and he must take action to ensure British Columbians can count on his government for the true story."
As part of an email exchange, a ministry official confirmed to a colleague in an email that "...we will not be updating the caseload stats on the public website until after the election, based on direction from PAB."James said the increase in B.C.'s welfare caseload, raises questions not only about the premier's refusal to be transparent, but also about his assertions for months that B.C.'s economy was immune to the ongoing financial instability.
VICTORIA - Documents obtained through a Freedom of Information request show the Campbell government's Public Affairs Bureau instructed ministry officials to cancel the release of damaging welfare caseload stats during the spring election campaign, New Democrat leader Carole James said today.
The welfare stats set for regular release on April 30 were finally made public May 15, 2009. They showed a significant increase in welfare rolls, reflecting high unemployment and resulting in additional budget pressures.
"These documents show that the highly politicized Public Affairs Bureau cancelled the routine release of these damaging welfare caseload numbers during the election. It's clear the Campbell government put its political interests ahead of the public's right to information about B.C.'s economy and fiscal situation," said James.
"Two weeks ago, we learned that the government wasn't telling the truth about health care cuts in B.C.'s health authorities. Now we learn that the Campbell Liberals directed the bureaucracy to hold back the truth about exploding welfare rolls," said James. "That's wrong. The premier owes an explanation and he must take action to ensure British Columbians can count on his government for the true story."
As part of an email exchange, a ministry official confirmed to a colleague in an email that "...we will not be updating the caseload stats on the public website until after the election, based on direction from PAB."James said the increase in B.C.'s welfare caseload, raises questions not only about the premier's refusal to be transparent, but also about his assertions for months that B.C.'s economy was immune to the ongoing financial instability.
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