British Columbia has the highest child poverty in Canada…again…or as usual?
British Columbia had the highest child poverty rate in Canada for the sixth year in a row in 2007, according to a child poverty report card released this week. The provincial report, released along with a national study, marks the 20th anniversary of the Canadian parliament’s unanimous vote to end child poverty by the year 2000.
“Both the federal and BC governments are guilty of ignoring the research evidence, the public desire for action and the proven solutions” in dealing with child and family poverty, the report card states. The result is that in future, society will experience rising costs in health care, criminal justice, and education services.
We speak with Adrienne Montani, provincial coordinator for First Call B.C. Child and Youth Advocacy Coalition, about the report and the implications of ignoring child and family poverty in B.C.
RELATED | National: 2009 Report Card on Child and Family Poverty | Provincial: 2009 B.C. Child Poverty Report Card |
Image: Adrienne Montani. Screen capture from The Time is Now at vimeo.com
