Hi there,
The March BC Communities Ending Poverty CoP hosted First Call's Adrienne Montani, Executive Director and long-time advocate for children and youth, who gave an excellent overview of the 2022 BC Child Poverty Report Card.
You can now access the recording (Passcode: PY*4PK.? ) and PowerPoint presentation from the call.
Key Takeaways
- Over time, BC has improved, moving from one of the highest rates of child poverty in Canada to 4th lowest. Rates have declined incrementally over time.
- The poverty rate for young children has improved and is now similar to the overall poverty rate.
- Income supports rolled out during the pandemic made an impact, showing this is an effective strategy. However, inequities remained (e.g. Indigenous, female-led lone parent families, and new immigrants continue to experience higher poverty rates).
- Despite increases in minimum wage and Income Assistance, income from these sources continues to be well below the poverty line.
- Government transfers make a difference, but barriers to access continue for those in the lowest income bracket.
- The report card can be a useful tool for community presentations and advocacy.
- Recommendations in the report are based on extensive consultations from across the province.
Featured Opportunities
ENGAGEMENT | TogetherBC Poverty Reduction Strategy update engagement is currently underway - DEADLINE APRIL 14 - and includes a survey, virtual town halls, small group sessions, and submissions.
EVENT | Communities Ending Poverty: Summit for Strength April 25-27, 2023 - Learn more and register
SERIES | The End of Poverty Pathways - Publication, Podcast, Online Course
OPPORTUNITY | Join Tamarack's Communities Ending Poverty network - Learn more or reach out to Jill for further information!
Thank you to everyone who attended. Our next call will be May 16 and focus on BC's Accessibility Legislation and what this means for local governments.
Best,
Jill Zacharias (she/her)
BC Manager of Growth and Impact - Communities Ending Poverty
Vibrant Communities - Tamarack Institute
250.814.3875
www.tamarackcommunity.ca
Settler on the traditional land of four nations: the Sinixt, the Ktunaxa, the Secwepemc and the Syilx.