QUEBEC (QC)
|
CURRENT SITUATION
| Single employable person | Single person with a disability | Lone parent with a 2-year-old child | Couple with two children aged 10 & 15 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QC 2009 WI | $7,312 | $10,881 | $17,583 | $22,614 |
| Rank* among provinces | 5 | 5 | 3 | 4 |
| % of MBM | 52% | 77% | 96% | 80% |
| % of After-tax LICO | 40% | 59% | 78% | 65% |
| % of After-tax median income | 34% |
51% |
51% |
30% |
| Highest 2009 WI | $9,593 (NL) | $12,905 (ON) | $19,297 (NL) | $24,045 (PE) |
| Lowest 2009 WI | $3,773 (NB) | $8,665 (NB) | $14,829 (MB) | $19,775 (NB) |
* #1 rank is the highest
CHANGES IN WELFARE INCOMES FROM 1986 TO 2009
- For the single employable and person with a disability, welfare incomes peaked (highest over time) in 1994 or earlier. The loss for the single employable person from the peak year is 13%.
- For families with children, incomes peaked since the mid-2000s. This can be partly attributed to increases to provincial child benefits.
LIQUID ASSET EXEMPTION POLICY
- QC is one of two provinces (other is BC) that has a lower asset exemption level for applicants than recipients.
| Single employable person | Single person with a disability | Lone parent with a 2-year-old child | Couple with two children aged 10 & 15 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 Applicants exemption | $862 | $862 | $1,232 | $1,757 |
| 2009 Recipients exemption | $1,500 | $2,500 | $2,870 | $2,975 |
| 1989 exemption adjusted to 2009 for inflation (applicants) | $2,294 |
$3,823 |
-- |
$3,823 |
- Asset exemption levels for applicants have decreased over the past 20 years for 3 household types. We do not have data for the lone parent for 1989.
- A single person with a disability applying for welfare has seen a decrease of nearly $3,000 since 1989.
- QC is one of three provinces that exempt RRSPs (Newfoundland and Labrador and Alberta also do). Quebec’s policy is the most generous, with a total exemption of up to $60,000.
EARNINGS EXEMPTION POLICY
- QC provides a flat rate exemption on earnings.
| Single employable person | Single person with a disability | Lone parent with a 2-year-old child | Couple with two children aged 10 & 15 |
|---|---|---|---|
| $200 | $100 | $200 | $300 |
EXAMPLE
| Treatment of monthly earnings of $400 | ||
| Single Person | Lone Parent | |
| Amount exempted | $200 | $200 |
Remainder of income is deducted from welfare cheque.
- QC has had its own WITB parameters since 2007. Under its model, maximum benefits are paid at higher income levels than under the federal model.
- QC is moving to improve the WITB for single persons and couples without children in 2010.
- A single employable welfare recipient with $400 earnings/month would have been eligible for $288 in WITB in 2009 ($24/month)