The Editor,
I immensely appreciate our government’s best efforts in providing housing and sufficient living allowance to disability recipients such as myself. I know we would probably lack such basic needs if we had the misfortune of living in a number of other countries.
On the other hand, I can empathize with most disability recipients’ ire regarding the BC Liberals’ recent budget balancing act, which essentially will award us an extra $77 a month at the expense of our $45 annual bus pass come September.
For some individuals like myself, who don’t extensively use transit, this new arrangement will provide the benefit of extra cash to better afford the rising cost of living.
But the remaining majority of frequent transit users will be pressured into a dilemma between transit or living expenses.
Choosing the former will leave less money for food and other necessities.
Choosing the latter could incapacitate their mobility and, thus, hinder their engagement in self-productive activities such as social networking and volunteering.
Why does our BC Liberal government deliberately overtax the poor in times of economic crisis? Is it because we’re defenceless and wouldn’t put up a fight?
Sometimes, I assure myself that in the near future, when Premier Christy Clark has finally succeeded in the complex and demanding task of revitalizing B.C.’s economy, she will begin to treat disability recipients more fairly, doling out allowances matched to the cost of living.
Am I deluding myself?
Every day I contemplate my fate and puzzle out a strategy to somehow, singlehandedly, escape the relentless grip of poverty.
Until last June, I was hoping to complete two more refresher courses at Coquitlam Learning Opportunities Centre to gradually prepare myself for college — until our provincial government took away that privilege by mandating tuition fees there. Now, without my bus pass, I probably would have no means to attend college even if I were ready.
How much more suffering will disability recipients have to bear before Premier Clark acknowledges our humanity and treats us fairly, instead of punishing us because we’re too powerless to undermine her position as premier?
I can only pray that underneath that veneer of severity lies a compassionate woman with an agenda that involves — eventually — helping us meet our needs.
If I could have a moment of her absolute honesty, I would ask: Do you, Premier Clark, sincerely care about the future of us disability recipients, in a sense that you intend to eventually provide for us when the economy can manage the extra demand? If she responded “Yes” — and, once again, I could be assured of her absolute honesty — I would delight in my newfound hope and would certainly consider voting for her in the provincial election next year.
Peter Toth, Port Coquitlam
