Al0 - Friday, August 31, 1984 - North Shore News opposing views on the issues of the day | “’There are four other alternatives.’ By JOANNE MacDONALD PRIME MINISTER John Turner’s proposal to pro- vide monthly rent sub- sidies to single parents has met with mixed reac- tions across the country. Donna Stewart, south- central B.C. repre- sentative for the National Action Committee for the Status of Women, says measures other than rent subsidies would better address the financial plight of single parents. Margaret Mowatt, a former teacher of the learning disabled and a former consultant with the Vancouver School Board, says the rent sub- sidies are logical for fi- nancially-strapped single parents. DONNA STEWART *“*Rent subsidies are a band-aid solution. ‘*1 think what we should do is collect maintenance from fathers who are reneging on their responsibility to their children. I don’t think we should get it from the general public. Income assistance forces people to defraud the gov- ernment and they try to earn more than they can afford to earn in order to qualify for income assistance in the first place. Or else it forces them into informal pro- stitution or some other crime. “Il feel there are four other alternatives which would address the pro- blem better, namely en- forcement of maintenance, equal pay for work of equal value, adequate income assistance and affordable daycare. Then we wouldn’t be forced to have rent subsidies which only end up benefitting the landlords most of the time anyway. ‘“*We know that 85 per cent of single parent heads of households are women. Men are better paid and probably wouldn’t need the rent subsidies. But it really doesn’t matter if a man or woman is making up to $50,000 per year. The parent who has care of the children should have financial recognition of that fact. **To implement these measures would just take political will. There are some provinces where *‘Children need more help and care.’”’ MARGARET MOWATT ‘‘I definitely think the federal government should provide rent sub- sidies for single parents. | think Mr. Turner’s observation that single parents are paying more than 30 per cent of their income on rental is serious. This subsidy would enable single parents to offer their children a better quality of life. ‘“‘Children need more help and care in those sit- uations and should get in- to extra-curricular activi- ties. If a single parent is strapped for cash for the basics, they won’t be able to give their kids some other opportunities. ‘“‘As far as how much and how often the sub- sidies should be handed out, I would think it would depend on whatever the rentat period was. That way the government would be sure it goes to rent. There would definitely have to be stipulations. ‘‘T also think it’s im- portant that the rental be moderate and adequate, so someone could not take advantage of the subsidy. If the single Parent is paying at least 30 per cent of their in- come for an adequate rental space, then he or she should get the sub- sidy. Of course, there will be great variations on rent, depending on the area. You can imagine the difference between the Maritimes and the metropolitan area of Greater Vancouver. ‘*The number of children involved in each family would definitely also be a consideration. | think the maximum sub- sidy given out has been proposed at $1500 per month but, at any rate, it should be on a sliding scale. ‘“‘As for other alter- natives, low income hous- ing has its advantages and disadvantages. Too many people having problems placed together could be a dangerous way to go. “‘Trying to enforce maintenance payments would be idealistically right. But having friends in the social welfare field, I know that that’s often very hard to enforce. | think the rent subsidies are an excellent idea, and one that should be put in- to effect.’’ ‘maintenance is collected, but not in B.C. There are also provinces where in- come assistance is closer to the poverty line. The gap between the poverty line and income assistance in B.C. is shocking. ’’ Photo not available. MARGARET MOWATT AMBLESIDE HOBBIES & CRAFTS UPPER LONSDALE BY orcas 3 _— 1425 Marine Dr. West Van Cama err } . 922-3512 ©. ays abbed for thetft attempts coun 8 days a west 3:3 30. - 6 P.M. AN ALERT Upper Lonsdale resident and a police track- ing dog combined to nab a would-be crook late Tues- day. The resident turned in the alarm when she was awoken by the sound of car doors being slammed and spotted someone going through her neighbor's car and then hers. 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