Editor:
In 2012, a document was produced called the B.C. Child Poverty Report Card.
It suggested that 10.5 per cent of our province's child population was living below the poverty line, which meant about 87,000 children were living in poverty in this province. It also suggested 100,000 people used the province's food banks each month; one-third of that 100,000 were children.
Canada's child poverty rate of 15 per cent is three times higher than Sweden, Norway or Finland which means one in 10 children are living under the poverty line in Canada and one in 4 are First Nations children growing up in poverty.
It is said poor people spend a greater portion of their budget on food than richer people do making the poor more vulnerable to increases in food prices. Thank goodness for food banks and food share programs along with community garden opportunities so that some can put a little healthy food stuff on their tables.
It is also said, there is underachievement for children living in low income housing, that education is geared towards those who come from more advantaged backgrounds. Ineffective schools promote inferior academic performance.
Statistically, poverty creates: crime, family unrest and separation, physical violence and abuse, addictions, mental and physical health issues, etc. If there is not enough food to eat, if there is poor housing, education inadequacies, lack of job skills, lack of job opportunities, inability to relocate, health issues and transportation issues, how is poverty to be eradicated? By raising wages/income all else rises too; so how do we overcome poverty?
The provinces of Quebec, Newfoundland, Labrador, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Ontario have implemented Poverty Reduction Plans. Federally, the NDP, Liberals and Green parties have agreed to reduce poverty.
Question: Why does B.C. not have a Poverty Reduction Plan? In recent election campaigns there was talk of establishing one. Let's see if it comes to pass or should the general public raise the question in the media and bring the question to a certain doorstep?
Poverty cannot be eliminated by one; it takes a community to raise a child. We all have our bit to play.
Simona Ionita
Chair, Kaien Anti Poverty Society