BCGEU supports recommendations aimed at reducing child poverty
25 Nov '10

The B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union is backing proposals outlined in the annual First Call - BC Campaign 2000 Child Poverty Report Card for 2010.

The report card finds the child poverty rate in B.C. remains above the national average, and that income assistance recipients in B.C. continue to receive payments that leave them well below the poverty line. It also identifies a growing inequality between the richest and poorest families in the province.

The report makes numerous recommendations. They include reducing the child poverty rate in B.C. from the current 14.5% to 7% or less by 2020, appointing a cabinet minister to oversee the development and implementation of a comprehensive poverty reduction plan, raising welfare rates, and creating a universally accessible, high quality child care system.

“More needs to be done to reduce child poverty in B.C.,” said BCGEU president Darryl Walker. “We urge the B.C. government takes these findings seriously and act on them quickly.”

First Call is a child and youth advocacy organization and a coalition partner of the BCGEU on child care issues.