Public Service Alliance of Canada BC

The Make Poverty History campaign platform includes the goal to end child poverty in Canada. Specifically it calls for more money for low-income families, affordable housing and the creation of decent jobs, with a higher minimum wage and universal, affordable early learning and child care.

British Columbia has the highest rate of child poverty in Canada. One in four BC children is growing up poor. Homelessness has doubled between 2002 and 2005. The $8 an hour minimum wage leaves even an individual working full time well below the poverty line. Someone working at the starting wage of $6 an hour earns only about 60% of the poverty line.

Despite having surpluses, the provincial government has frozen or cut welfare rates (with the exception of one modest increase to disability rates). Despite the rising cost of living, there have been no increases to the minimum wage in 6 years. And the provincial government has made welfare much harder to get by reducing face-to-face services and introducing arbitrary barriers. Help send a message to Premier Gordon Campbell asking him to act now to increase income assistance and minimum wage rates, and remove barriers to welfare that deny help to people in dire need. Send a message to Premier Campbell (with a copy to the Opposition Leader, Carole James).

For more information on these issues check the web site of the Raise the Rates campaign.

Thank you for your help in sending a message to Premier Campbell to make poverty history.

Dennis Howlett, Coordinator, Make Poverty History