B.C. Liberals calling on province to stagger welfare cheques to avoid ‘Welfare Wednesday’

published on April 11, 2019 by Richard Zussman in Global News BC

It’s a day first responders across the province worry about: welfare cheque day. B.C. Liberal MLA Jane Thornthwaite is hoping to change that.

Currently, the provincial government distributes welfare cheques on the third or fourth Wednesday of the month. First responders have seen a significant increase in overdose calls and overdose deaths on those days and the days immediately after.

“In the days following the monthly distribution of income assistance cheques, first responders and medical services are overloaded,” Thornthwaite said. “We need concrete action in order to turn the tide on the opioid crisis.”…

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