Why is B.C. so stubborn when it comes to poverty reduction?
By Seth Klein, the director of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives in B.C.
Vancouver Sun
August 17, 2009

Last month, the Provincial Representative for Children and Youth asked both Premier Gordon Campbell and Opposition leader Carole James to meet with her to discuss the need for a provincial plan to reduce child poverty. The premier declined. During last spring's provincial election campaign, Premier Campbell was repeatedly asked if a re-elected Liberal government would bring in a comprehensive poverty reduction plan with legislated targets and timelines.

On each occasion he said no.

What gives?

Before the May election, the B.C. Poverty Reduction Coalition called for a comprehensive provincial plan in an open letter to all political parties.

The coalition's call won the endorsement of almost 300 organizations from around the province (see http://bcpovertyreduction.ca).

The public is solidly behind this call as well.

A Mustel Group poll commissioned by the BC Poverty Reduction Coalition just before the May provincial election found that 79 per cent of British Columbians believe a poverty reduction plan with legislated targets and timelines should be a priority for the new provincial government.

A growing number of provinces across the country are implementing poverty reduction plans, but so far not B.C., despite the fact that B.C. has the highest poverty rate in the country.

A week before B.C.'s election, a new Poverty Reduction Act with concrete targets was passed by Ontario's legislature with unanimous all-party support. And Manitoba is the latest province to initiate a plan.

Why is B.C. a laggard on this issue?….