B.C. Poverty Reduction

Engagement Summary

The poverty rate in B.C. is among the worst in Canada. Too many people are struggling to make ends meet, earn a living wage, or find and keep affordable housing. Too many families are suffering without basic necessities, relying on food banks, going hungry or sending their children to school hungry.
 
The B.C. government developed TogetherBC, British Columbia’s first-ever poverty reduction strategy. The strategy was informed by the feedback government received from British Columbians including people in poverty, First Nations and Indigenous people and organizations, community groups, and other stakeholders during the public engagement process, October 30, 2017 to March 31, 2018.
 
British Columbians shared their input on B.C.’s first poverty reduction strategy in several ways:

• Attended a Community Meeting
• Attended a Métis Poverty Reduction Engagement Session
• Attended an Indigenous Poverty Reduction Consultation at Friendship Centres across BC
• Met with the Minister and Parliamentary Secretary of Social Development and Poverty Reduction in a small group meeting
• Held their own small group discussions.
• Submitted feedback by email, mail or phone
• Completed an online feedback form

For more information, visit the B.C. Poverty Reduction Engage website.

Timeframe

October 30, 2017 – March 31, 2018
 

Input Received

• 16,387 visits to the B.C. Poverty Reduction engagement site
• 2,500 people attended the 28 community meetings
• 2,786 people attended the 100 small group discussions led by community organizations
• 166 people attended the 7 Métis Poverty Reduction Engagement Sessions
• 1,439 people attended the 27 Indigenous Poverty Reduction Consultations
• 1,603 online feedback forms were received
• 68 stakeholder submissions were received

Input leads to action:

An engagement report “What We Heard Regarding B.C.s First Poverty Reduction Strategy” was released on July 12, 2018. This report includes a summary of the feedback we received through the engagement as well as supplemental reports from the First Nations Leadership Council, Metis Nation BC, the Social Planning and Research Council of BC, and the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres.
 
Poverty reduction legislation will be brought forward in Fall 2018. The poverty reduction strategy will follow.