B.C. names 27 to panel on poverty reduction
Shane Simpson, minister of social development and poverty reduction, has appointed 27 people to his advisory forum to help shape B.C.’s first Poverty Reduction Strategy.
Despite having the highest rate of working poor in the country, B.C. is the only province in Canada without a formal poverty-reduction plan.
“Poverty affects too many people in our province. It’s time to change that and today is where we start to forge a new path,” said Simpson.
“This group of advisers will support me as we work together to bring effective and permanent solutions that will lift people out of poverty and help them to build a better life.”
There are 678,000 British Columbians living in poverty, according to the Market Basket Measure, which recognizes that a minimum disposable income of $20,000 a year for singles and $40,000 a year for a family of four is necessary to provide a basic standard of living. About 40 per cent of those living in poverty are low-income, working adults.
One in five B.C. children are living in poverty, according to the First Call child advocacy coalition’s 2016 Child Poverty Report Card.
The 27-person advisory forum will be co-chaired by Dawn Hemingway, chair of the University of Northern British Columbia’s school of social work, and Mable Elmore, MLA for Vancouver-Kensington and parliamentary secretary for poverty reduction.
“Poverty is a complex problem and finding solutions is a collective responsibility,” said Elmore. “This group of individuals has come together for a common purpose — to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to meet their potential and build a good life for themselves and their families.”
The advisory forum will be tasked with identifying the causes of poverty and innovative approaches to poverty reduction; recommending priority action; discussing ideas for poverty reduction generated through the consultation and engagement process; offering expertise and advice on how to implement the Poverty Reduction Strategy; working within communities to encourage full participation in the Poverty Reduction Strategy; and providing advice on legislation, including targets and timelines.