Every fall for the past six years, Raise the Rates has challenged participants, including politicians, celebrities and chefs, to live on provincial welfare rates for one week. In 2017, after subtracting rent and other basics like bus fare, that meant $19.
But with recent rent increases, participants this year would have only $5.75 to spend on food for the week.
“This year we can’t possibly ask someone to voluntarily live on $5.75 a week for food,” organizer Kell Gerlings said during a news conference announcing the 2018 challenge.
I feel like the poor people could have told you this one. I know groups like this often mean well, but I feel like there’s a lack of listening to poor people implicit in these events.
“We can’t ask anyone to do this voluntarily but we can sure force them to by necessity.”
Welfare challenge cancelled because participants could face starvation
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