With 50 cents in his pocket, money given to him by his children, a Surrey MLA hit the streets on Sunday hoping to make it through January living on the provincial monthly welfare rate of $610.
Jagrup Brar, MLA for Surrey-Fleetwood, was challenged by a group called Raise the Rates on May 25 to try living on $610 for the month of January, the same amount social services provides to people who are expected to look for work.
Brar accepted, and began the challenge on Sunday, Jan. 1.
Because Sunday and Monday were holidays, he would have been unable to collect a welfare cheque as government offices were closed. So he hit the streets with 50 cents in his pocket – money his children gave him for a phone call if he got into trouble.
On Sunday night, he tried to get shelter at the Front Room drop-in centre in Whalley, but it was full.
He ended up sleeping on a mat at Surrey Urban Mission, according to a constituency staffer.
Brar said in a release that he understands the limitations of his exercise.
"I know clearly that I will not fully experience what 'being on welfare' is like when I live on $610 for the month of January," Brar said. "I haven’t lost a job or a family or become disabled or sick, all reasons why many people are on welfare. I won’t be or feel shamed like many are when they apply for welfare. I won’t have to worry about paying school fees for my kids or feeding them nutritious food, or about how my kids will feel shamed when they can’t pay fees, afford to play hockey, or have nice clothes like other kids have."
Brar will be able to return home one night a week, but will have to pay for the food he eats while there.
kdiakiw@surreyleader.com