Commenting on the report, British Columbia Premier David Eby said the problem with housing affordability was “serious and ongoing.”
The head of an association representing B.C.'s food banks said he would like to see the province receive a better rating in a report tracking poverty.
Food Banks Canada's 2024 Poverty Report Card gives B.C. a grade of D-plus.
“Like last year, the rating itself was very concerning and we were optimistic that B.C. would improve,” said Dan Van Taylor, executive director of Food Banks BC. “The final rating is disappointing but unexpected. We are seeing this on the front line at food banks, with more people in need of their services, which only shows that things are getting worse for many British Columbians.”
The province's poverty rate of 11.6 per cent is “significantly higher” than the national average of 9.9 per cent, according to the report. Faced with rising costs for basic necessities like housing and inadequate rates of assistance, a growing number of British Columbians are experiencing some form of food insecurity.
Van Taylor said B.C.'s poverty rate partly reflects economic factors that the province has no control over, “but we also look at government policies that are currently inadequate to meet the needs of those most affected by poverty, particularly those on fixed incomes, communities of colour and Indigenous people.”
Van Taylor said solutions must involve all partners in society, including all levels of government, non-profits and businesses, adding that his organization looks forward to the release of B.C.'s poverty reduction strategy.
RELATED: Food banks report fails B.C. poverty test, but praise efforts
“We're encouraged by the housing crisis in British Columbia,” Juan Taylor said, adding that more needs to be done to provide adequate housing for hundreds of thousands of people.
The Canadian Poverty Report gives British Columbia a B for the government's efforts to tackle poverty, particularly when it comes to housing.
“[B.C.]has developed an ambitious and aggressive housing plan that is widely recognized as one of the best in Canada,” the report said.
Premier David Eby acknowledged the report at a housing event in Metro Vancouver on Thursday (May 24).
“The housing affordability issues facing many British Columbians are severe and ongoing,” he said. “Today's announcement is just one example of how we're addressing the biggest driver of housing affordability for people,” he said. Eby pointed to many of the factors Juan Taylor later identified as outside of British Columbia's control, such as interest rates from the Bank of Canada.
RELATED: B.C. offers one-time rental assistance to low-income families, seniors
RELATED: $214 million to be pumped into B.C. school districts to create and expand meal programs
RELATED: $110 off offer for BC drivers through end of July: ICBC CEO
Eby also pointed to other initiatives, including expanding senior rental housing assistance and rent subsidy programs, creating breakfast programs for school children and creating subsidized (and in some cases free) child care spaces.
Eby also pointed to the one-time $100 rebate from BC Hydro included in this year's budget and the just-announced $110 rebate from ICBC, as well as the freeze on auto insurance premiums, as measures aimed at making life more affordable.
“We know we have a lot of work to do to address this,” he said.
When asked what specific policies British Columbians can expect to hear about reducing poverty rates during the next election campaign, Eby questioned the efforts of BC United and the BC Conservative Party.
Eby added that under the New B.C. Development Plan, British Columbia has the highest minimum wage, maintains one of the highest credit ratings and has one of the lowest debt-to-GDP ratios.
The BC NDP has increased social assistance three times since coming to power.
“We've increased disability benefits, doubled old age benefits, the list goes on,” he said, “but all of this was possible under the previous government and they didn't do it.”
Eby also warned that a future center-right government would roll back these programs.
