I am pleased to submit the Ministry of Human Resources Annual Service Plan for 2004/05 – 2006/07. This plan outlines the ministry's approach to providing assistance to those most in need while supporting clients who are able to work to achieve sustainable employment.

Through BC Employment and Assistance the ministry has achieved significant results during the 2003/04 fiscal year. Since April 2002 when the first ministry service plan took effect, through December 2003, the number of people receiving income assistance in British Columbia declined by approximately 29 per cent (a reduction of 68,535 clients) and the number of children in income assistance families declined by approximately 38 per cent, a reduction of 28,371. This trend is encouraging because research shows that sustainable employment improves the lives and well-being of individuals and families.

During the same period, April 2002 through December 2003, the number of persons with disabilities receiving assistance from the ministry increased by 11 per cent. New initiatives for persons with disabilities, including an increase in the earnings exemption from $300 to $400 per month, a $20 million endowment fund, and new employment services under the Employment Program for Persons with Disabilities, encourage employment and reduce barriers. These initiatives are part of the ministry's Employment Strategy for Persons with Disabilities, introduced in April 2002. The strategy supports persons with disabilities to engage in employment or volunteering to the greatest degree possible.

Under the Employment and Assistance Act, clients who are expected to work require an active employment plan as a condition of eligibility for income assistance. On-going eligibility for assistance is dependent upon compliance with the terms and conditions of the employment plan. While these clients have a personal responsibility to pursue employment, the employment plan provides clients with employment supports and/or programs they may need to achieve independence at the earliest opportunity.

Under the time limit policy employable clients who do not meet any of the 25 exemption criteria are limited to a cumulative two years of assistance out of every five. The 25 exemption criteria are designed to ensure that no one who is unable to work or who is actively looking for work will lose assistance. These include persons with disabilities, pregnant women, single parents with young children, people in a special care facility or people with an alcohol or drug problem.

The time limit policy is the first of its kind in Canada. A total of 339 employable clients who have been receiving assistance for more than two years may become ineligible over the coming year, or receive a rate reduction, as a result of non-compliance with their employment plan.

This policy ensures that clients who are unable to work or looking for work are protected, while also ensuring that employable individuals are not able to repeatedly cycle on and off assistance for longer than a cumulative two years out of five.

The Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal has been in operation for over a year as an independent and streamlined appeal body, receiving over 1,100 appeals in its first year.

These accomplishments position the ministry to achieve its mission and meet government's priorities and New Era commitments. In the next three years, the ministry will continue to emphasize self-reliance and personal responsibility, reducing long-term dependance on income assistance for those who are able to work. Regional service delivery to income assistance recipients will be further streamlined and responsive employment planning and programming will continue to evolve to support the changing profile of clients in their efforts to become self-reliant through sustainable employment. The ministry will further assist persons with disabilities to maximize their independence.

I am confident that through the ongoing commitment of staff the ministry will continue to meet its goals and objectives, supporting the government's strategic actions for a vibrant provincial economy and a supportive social fabric.

Honourable Stan Hagen
Minister of Human Resources

February 4, 2004