A recent report by First Call, a B.C. child and youth advocacy coalition, says that one in five children are growing up poor in the province.
“Data reveals that once again far too many children in British Columbia are growing up in poverty,” reads the report, which was released on Tuesday.
“One in five children, or 172,550 children and youth, are growing up in poverty. And many are growing up in deep poverty — up to $13,000 below the poverty line.”
While the information gathered measured poverty rates in all B.C. children, First Call says there is evidence of growing income inequality in the province and systematic discrimination for some groups of youth.
Indigenous children, new immigrant children, and children in visible minority groups all have a much higher poverty rate than the B.C. average.
First Call also claims that the data collected indicates a social safety net that has failed to respond to stagnant wages and soaring essential living expenses.
“[These statistics] reflect decades of allowing and facilitating the massive accumulation of wealth in the hands of fewer and fewer individuals, while thousands of children and youth are deprived of the security, supports, and opportunities they need to thrive,” reads the report.
While the rate of youth poverty is disappointing to First Call, the advocacy group says they are cautiously optimistic about improvements in the province.
“While the situation for so many children and their families remains unacceptable, over the past few years both federal and provincial governments have taken steps in the right direction.”
The 2016 federal Canada Child Benefit is being cited as making a difference to poverty rates in the country.
In November, the federal government introduced Bill C-87, an Act that hopes to reduce overall poverty by 20% below the 2015 level by 2020, and 50% by 2030.
In the autumn of this year, the B.C. legislature also unanimously passed a Poverty Reduction Strategy Act compelling the Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction to develop a strategy to reduce and prevent poverty.
The legislation sets a target of a 50% youth poverty reduction over the next five years.
“Today, as has been the case for many years, one in five children in BC are growing up in poverty,” reads the report.
“The real test of governments’ plans to reduce child poverty is whether or not it does just that. This year’s Child Poverty Report Card indicates we have a long way to go in BC to ensure all children and youth have what they need to thrive.”
