A D-plus? That grade is just not going to cut it when it comes to feeding the hungry, says the head of the association representing B.C. food banks.
Dan Huang-Taylor said hoped the province would have received a better grade than what it did from the poverty-tracking 2024 Poverty Report Card by Food Banks Canada.
害羞草研究所淚 would say that the grade itself is very concerning as it was last year and we were optimistic that we would see B.C. improving on that,害羞草研究所� the executive director of Food Banks BC, said. 害羞草研究所淚t (the final grade) was disappointed but also unexpected because this is what we are seeing at the front lines of food banks, more people needing services, which only tells that the situation of many British Columbians has gotten worse.害羞草研究所�
The provincial poverty rate of 11.6 per cent is 害羞草研究所渟ubstantially higher害羞草研究所� than the national average of 9.9 per cent, according to the report. More British Columbians are also experiencing some form of food insecurity in the face of rising costs for shelter coupled with inadequate assistance rates.
Huang-Taylor said B.C.害羞草研究所檚 poverty rates partly reflect economic factors completely out of its control.
害羞草研究所淏ut we are also certainly looking at government policies that are currently inadequate to meet the needs of people, particularly those who are most impacted by poverty 害羞草研究所� people on fixed incomes, racialized communities and Indigenous peoples.害羞草研究所�
Huang-Taylor said solutions must involve all societal partners: all levels of government; non-profits; and corporations, adding that his organization looks forward to the upcoming release of B.C. poverty reduction strategy.
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害羞草研究所淲e are encouraged by what害羞草研究所檚 happening in B.C. with housing,害羞草研究所� Huang-Taylor said, adding more needs to be done to adequately house hundreds of thousands of people.
The Poverty Report Card gives B.C. a B for government efforts to address some poverty issues, especially when it comes to housing.
害羞草研究所�(B.C.) has developed an ambitious and aggressive housing plan that is widely regarded as among the best in Canada,害羞草研究所� it says.
Speaking at a housing event Thursday (May 24) in Metro Vancouver, Premier David Eby acknowledged the report.
害羞草研究所淭he issues facing many British Columbians around affordability are serious and ongoing,害羞草研究所� he said. 害羞草研究所淭oday害羞草研究所檚 announcement is just one example of how we are responding to one of the biggest drivers of affordability for people, which is the cost of housing.害羞草研究所�
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Eby also pointed to other initiatives, including the expansion of the Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters program and the Rental Assistance Program; the creation of breakfast programs for school children; and the creation of subsidized, in some cases, free childcare spaces.
Eby also pointed to the one-time B.C. Hydro rebate of $100 in this year害羞草研究所檚 budget and the just-announced ICBC rebate of $110, coupled with a freeze on auto insurance rates, as steps to make life more affordable.
害羞草研究所淲e know got a lot of work to do to respond to this,害羞草研究所� he said.
Eby questioned the commitment of B.C. United and Conservative Party of B.C.
Under the B.C. NDP, B.C. now has the highest minimum wage, while maintaining top credit rating and one of the lowest debt-to-GDP ratios, Eby added. Since coming to power, the B.C. NDP has raised social assistance three times.
害羞草研究所淲e increased disability assistance, we doubled the senior supplement害羞草研究所 could go on,害羞草研究所� he said. 害羞草研究所淏ut all of these pieces were available under the previous administration and they didn害羞草研究所檛 do it.害羞草研究所�
Eby also warned that a future centre-of-right government would roll back these programs.
