Report says we need a plan to reduce poverty in the province
Feb, 20 2008

VANCOUVER/CKNW(AM980) - We're concerned about reducing greenhouse gases, but a new report by the social planning and research council of BC says we need a plan to reduce poverty in the province.

Report author Rebecca Siggner says there was little in the provincial budget to help people who are being left behind - namely people and families on income assistance who can't keep up with the rising cost of living.

"We would like to see the income assistance rate brought up to reflect the actual cost of living. We need to increase the minimum wage so people who are working can afford their basic costs as well."

The report says a couple on income assistance with two children under the age of six can only cover 70 percent of their expenses…