Whereas more than one in ten households in BC, 1 in 7 households in the Interior Health region, experience household food insecurity and are more vulnerable to chronic conditions leading to health care costs that are two times higher than food secure households; And whereas rates of household food insecurity are not reduced by food programs because they cannot address the root cause of household food insecurity, being lack of income and extreme material deprivation: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM frame household food insecurity as an income-based problem and advocate to provincial and federal governments for evidence-based income policy solutions to food insecurity.
Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction Government recognizes that food security is an important element of poverty reduction. It is also a key priority of the poverty reduction strategy, TogetherBC, which was released on March 18, 2019. This strategy reflects a cross-government approach and is guided by four key principles: affordability, opportunity, social inclusion and reconciliation. Because reducing poverty means both reducing costs as well as increasing income, TogetherBC includes several initiatives to address a lack of affordability for goods and services for people living on low income. Government also recognizes that a basic income could have positive aspects for addressing poverty and supporting food security. An independent committee is currently researching the feasibility of a basic income in BC and how to apply basic income principles to help find ways to improve the system of income supports to make life better for British Columbians. Addressing food security and income insecurity require comprehensive policy solutions from all levels of government, business, and within the community. Government welcomes collaboration from local governments in developing these solutions.
Minister of Middle Class Prosperity and Associate Minister of Finance The Government of Canada knows that a strong economy starts with a strong middle class and a responsible fiscal plan. The best way to grow the middle class is to invest in people and in communities, making life more affordable for Canadians. Our Government has put in place a plan to make it easier for people to buy their first home, give new parents more time and money to raise their children, and to put more money in the pockets of all but the wealthiest Canadians. At the same time, we know that there is more to do. This means moving forward with the issues that matter most to Canadians: strengthening the middle class, protecting our environment, keeping Canadians safe and healthy, and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.