Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs indicates that needs lower down in the hierarchy must be satisfied before individuals can attend to needs higher up

Alan Forseth ~~ Kamloops ~~ April 24^th, 2019

The latest information, from the BC Stats Info Line, came out today.  As if you weren’t already aware of it, by the emptier feeling in your bank account, the consumer price index (CPI) was 2.6% higher in March.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is built as a triangle. Showing the need a firm and solid foundation. In BC that foundation is currently looking a little shaky, and likely causing stress for many men, woman, and families.

As Simple Psychology says ... needs lower down in the hierarchy must be satisfied before individuals can attend to needs higher up. From the bottom of the hierarchy upwards, the needs are: physiological, safety, love and belonging, esteem and self-actualization.

Looking at just items needed by the everyday family, the cost of food climbed 4.3% with prices for groceries up 5%.  Within the food category, the highest rise in prices was for fresh vegetables (+15.7%), followed by coffee and tea (+11.1%), fresh fruit increased by 8% ... and fish and other seafood had prices increased by just under 5%.

The cost of shelter continued to climb in March (+3.4%), with prices for both renters (+4.3%) and home owners (+2.7%) rising. Within the shelter category, there were increases in the cost of utilities, including piped gas (+10.5%), electricity (+2.8%), and fuel oil and other fuel (+2.6%).

The overall cost of clothing and footwear was also on the rise (+2.4%) compared to March 2018.

Sales at retail stores decreased by just under two percent (1.9%) in BC ... meanwhile nationally, retail sales saw the first real sign of growth in recent months

Revenue at food services and drinking places continued to stall in February and once again inched downwards.  Canadian sales were slightly higher (+0.6%), with five provinces posting increases, including Quebec (+2.0%) and Ontario (+1.1%).

In British Columbia the number of men and women, who had been working, showed a decline, as individuals receiving Employment Insurance (EI) benefits rose by 2.7%.  Ontario (+3.1%) saw the most substantial uptick in number of beneficiaries, followed by B.C.

Manufacturing sales in B.C. dipped overall by 1.4%, led by widespread sales declines in the transportation (-29.4%) ... wood (-7.3%) ... and machinery (-7.1%).

And finally, the cost of housing continued to climb in March.  For those seeking rental accommodations costs increased by just under four and a half percent (+4.4%), while the cost of owning a home rose by 2.7 percent. There were multiple cost increases as well in multiple areas of home ownership.  Trending upwards in the utility’s category was piped gas (+10.5%) ... electricity (+2.8%) ... and fuel oil and other fuel (+2.6%).

Not factored into the latest information from BC Stats, of course, is the current astronomical rise in the price of fuel ... the highest being in Metro-Vancouver. And the reason for that?  The on-going fight of words, proposed legal action, and indeed legal action around pipelines and energy development.

Thank you, Premier John Horgan, your Ministers, and your MLA’s.  The accomplishments of your NDP government, on behalf of what you have called the important middle class, are really paying of for all of us!