The NDP strategy, however, is simply to have fewer people on welfare, jobs or not. Government estimates show that of all the people who contact welfare offices, one third will not become welfare recipients. The plan of attack is many pronged. This is simply another form of welfare, for it means a huge student loan, a young lifetime of debt, and a job paying off the bank. The welfare line is moved from the welfare office to the student loan office.
Poverty is institutionalized.
For those who fulfill the requirements to actually apply for welfare, the consent form awaits. To receive any money new applicants in BC must sign a waiver allowing the government to access an individual's bank account, vehicle registration, tax history, and marital status. Since no money is provided until the form is signed this is nothing less than extortion. While similar to the government abuse and extortion applied to all taxpayers, middle class and wealthy alike, these injustices are more grotesque. The government has chosen to control nearly every aspect of a welfare recipient's life.