THANKS A LOT TO ALL OF YOU!

I would like to take this opportunity to convey my heart felt thanks to all the people who provided me valuable support through my journey into poverty in January 2012. 

As many of you know - I accepted a challenge from an anti-poverty advocacy group called Raise the Rates. As per the challenge, I lived
on the welfare rate of $610 during the month January 2012.

I had accepted the MLA Welfare Challenge to tell a story of 500,000 people living in poverty and to experience firsthand what life is like for BC families and individuals living in poverty.

During the month of January, I met with hundreds of people living in poverty and on welfare - having the opportunity to listen to their painful and heart breaking stories. My sincere thanks to all of you for sharing your valuable information and ideas that will help me work towards positive change.

Through the entire challenge, I received hundreds of letters, emails, phone calls and comments on my blogs, twitter and face book from people across the country encouraging me and appreciating my choice - accepting the MLA Welfare Challenge. Thanks to all of you for your deep interest in the profound issue of poverty and for standing up for the most vulnerable people of British Columbia. I want you to know that you are the real powerful voice that cannot be ignored. I also want to say thanks to those who provided constructive criticism of my journey into poverty – this
is what makes our country a true democracy. 

I give my sincere appreciation to stakeholders and activists who assisted me by connecting me with the people living in poverty. To my colleagues – thank you for your support and meaningful advice.  I would like to say a special thank you to my friend, Ajmer Rode, for translating my blog into Punjabi and publishing a Punjabi booklet of My Journey into Poverty.

In my office, we have experienced a higher volume of casework, phone calls, emails and letters since the start of the MLA Welfare Challenge. I would like to thank my staff – Ruby Bhandal, Patricia Enair and Kuldip Ardawa. These ladies do a superb job for the Surrey Fleetwood Constituency Office and its constituents. Thank you – ladies,
for sharing and working ever so diligently on this unprecedented task with such positive energy.  I cannot find words to thank Ruby Bhandal, for her good judgment, valuable advice and support during the welfare challenge. You ladies have my utmost respect and appreciation.

Last but not the least, I would like to thank my beautiful wife, Rajwant, my son, Fateh and my daughter Noor for allowing me to serve the most venerable people of British Columbia by accepting the welfare challenge.  Your unwavering support means more than I can find words for.

I would like to conclude by saying that each story shared by the people has a message for all Members of Legislative Assembly of BC. The message is that we cannot afford not to take actions to address the growing gap between the rich and the poor and we must start addressing inequality with a pragmatic approach, with clear targets and timelines. That is the path people of BC want us to pursue and I will take this message to the Legislative Assembly of BC and to our official opposition caucus
and work towards building a comprehensive Poverty Reduction Plan.  

Through this experience I have come back a changed and committed man.  Though I know the next steps will be the biggest challenge for all of us and that is to make a positive change for the most venerable people of British Columbia.