Ministry of Human Resources Annual Report, 1997/98

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Communications

The Communications Branch supports programs and initiatives of the ministry by providing central communications planning, media relations and issues management, and by developing and distributing information to clients, advocacy groups and the general public.

During 1997-98, the branch provided communications support for:

• the signing and introduction of the Labour Market Development Agreement between the federal and provincial governments to assist British Columbians in entering and staying in the labour market;

• the amendment to BC Benefits legislation which allows government to assist individuals and single parents who are applying for income assistance to obtain and manage family maintenance orders; and

• the preparation of materials and information to launch the National Child Benefit program in British Columbia in July 1998.

The branch developed information packages for:

• clients and landlords informing them of changes in the way security deposit repayment is managed. Clients were made responsible for repayment of security deposits paid on their behalf when moving into new accommodation;

• the general public on progress towards the development of the National Child Benefit and British Columbia’s leadership role in the federal/provincial/ territorial program;

• the introduction and implementation of the Disability Benefits I category under the BC Benefits Acts. The new category recognizes the needs of clients with short-term disabilities; and

• the continued implementation of data matching initiatives with the federal government, other provincial governments and agencies, to ensure that all applicants and clients are aware that the ministry reviews application information for accuracy.

The branch expanded avenues of access to information by:

• posting the BC Benefits policy manual on the Web site to allow full and instant access to the ministry’s policies and policy amendments; and

• continuing to update all ministry information publications to reflect the creation of the Ministry of Human Resources in September 1996.

The branch provided media relations and issues management for:

• the continuing effort to ensure that applicants for income assistance explore all sources of income and declare all income to the ministry; and

• BC Benefits caseload statistics.

The Communications Branch also organized and executed special events, drafted speaking notes and ministerial statements, arranged media events and interviews, produced fact sheets and information sheets for letters to clients, and planned advertising.

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