Publicity stunt or not...either way Jagrup Brar should be commended for his efforts

Publicity stunt or not...either way Jagrup Brar should be commended for his efforts. The Surrey-Fleetwood MLA is trying to bring awareness to an issue in great need of attention by living off a welfare rate of $610 for the month of January.

http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20120105/bc_mla_on_welfare_120105/20120105/?hub=BritishColumbiaHomehttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.ctvbc.ctv.ca%2Fservlet%2Fan%2Flocal%2FCTVNews%2F20120105%2Fbc_mla_on_welfare_120105%2F20120105%2F%3Fhub%3DBritishColumbiaHomeAfter

According to statistics Canada's consumer price index report released in December - "On a year-over-year basis, prices increased in all eight major components in November. Transportation and food continued to post the largest increases."

FOOD one of the necessities of life costing us 4.8% more in the last year. The last time the welfare rates were increased was in April of 2007. The basic amount for a single person went from $510 - $610. Unbelievable.

I know how to save and make a dollar go very far, just ask my family who tease me all the time. But I know there's no way I could make $610 work for myself. Let alone $1101/month for my family of 4. Considering housing takes up the majority of your funds, how is anyone expected to be able to eat a healthy meal. The schools, media, advertisements everywhere you go healthy eating habits are preached....a child on welfare cannot expect to be able to eat healthy when parents have to find food to fill hunger, with the few hundred $ they have left after paying for rent. That doesn't even account for utilities, transportation, hygiene products, or even thrift store clothing.

I'm appalled at the negative comments being made about people on welfare. Comments surely made by people that have not had to struggle to make ends meet. Like any system there will always be abusers. But I would think the majority of people needing welfare services, would rather live a lifestyle where they do not have to figure out where they are going to live or how they are going to feed their kids the next day! No parent would choose to have their child live in poverty!