NDP aims to attack Liberals on spousal support clawback

Single parents lose on payment issue

VICTORIA — B.C.’s Opposition New Democrats are preparing to hammer the Liberal government during the fall session of the legislature next week for failing to launch a promised public consultation on the clawback of spousal support from single parents.

The Ministry of Social Development promised in June to begin consultations on possibly ending the clawback, but has done nothing since.

The promise of consultation came after the Liberals weathered intense criticism for the unpopular clawback policy during the spring session of the legislature, including complaints within the party’s own ranks during a convention in Kelowna in which a sitting MLA criticized his own government’s policy on the issue.

The fall session of the legislature begins next week, and the NDP has signalled it intends to continue pressing the Liberals on an issue that has resonated with the public and internally divided the governing party.

NDP house leader Mike Farnworth said it will be “front and centre” in the Opposition’s attack plans for question period, along with other social concerns.

A single parent with one child collects $945 monthly if on income assistance, or $1,242 in disability assistance. If that parent receives child-support payments from an ex-spouse, the government cuts his or her government payments by the same amount so the person doesn’t get any more money.

Social Development Minister Don McRae declined an interview request on Friday. In a written statement in June he said the consultation would happen “this fall.” On Friday, his office reissued the statement but changed the phrase to “later this fall.”

“The consultation will include talking with families and individuals who receive income and disability assistance, and groups such as First Call and Disability Alliance BC,” McRae’s statement read. “Details regarding the consultation are in development.”

First Call BC provincial coordinator Adrienne Montani said her group has been providing examples to government.

“I hope the opposition is all over it,” she said. “It’s a huge issue. It’s awful.”

Montani said her group wants single parents to be allowed to keep all child support they receive while on income assistance or disability.