Whereas the poverty rate in British Columbia continues to be among the highest in Canada at approximately 1 in 10 using the most conservative estimate low income cut-off after tax, and child poverty rates in BC are still 1 in 5; And whereas many impacts of poverty are experienced at the local level, and local residents pay for poverty in increased health care costs, higher crime, higher demand for community, social and charitable services, lack of school readiness, reduced school success, and lower economic productivity; And whereas 78 per cent of British Columbians want the provincial government to implement a poverty reduction plan; And whereas BC is the last province in Canada to have a commitment to a poverty reduction plan: Therefore be it resolved that the provincial government develop and implement a provincial poverty reduction strategy to reduce the number of people living in poverty in BC by setting concrete targets and timelines to reduce poverty.
